Early diagnosis of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide. In Turkey approximately 30 thousand new breast cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Fortunately, breast cancer can be treated successfully when diagnosed early. Therefore, it is very important to raise awareness of breast cancer and to encourage women to seek early detection is crucial.

Importance of Early Diagnosis:

When breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the success rate of treatment is quite high. Breast cancers diagnosed early have a chance of recovery of up to 90%. However, as cancer advances, treatment becomes more challenging, and the chance of recovery decreases.

How to Make Early Diagnosis?

There are three basic methods for early detection of breast cancer:

1. Breast self-examination: It is important to examine your breasts yourself regularly every month. During the examination, you should check your breasts for any swelling or lumps, hardness, discoloration or discharge.
2. Doctor’s examination: It is also important to have a breast examination by your doctor once a year. Your doctor will manually examine your breasts and check for any abnormalities.
3. Mammography: Mammography is the most effective method in the early detection of breast cancer. It is recommended that you have a mammogram every year starting from the age of 40. Mammography is the imaging of breast tissue with x-ray film. This method helps detect breast cancer at an early stage.

Risk factors:

Breast cancer risk can be affected by several factors. These factors are:

• The risk of breast cancer increases as you get older.
• Having a family history of breast cancer increases the risk.
• Genetics, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Early menstruation or late menopause increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Not having given birth or having the first birth after the age of 30 increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Long-term hormone therapy increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Overweight or obesity increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Smoking increases the risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms:

Breast cancer does not always have symptoms. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor:

• Swelling or mass in the breast
• Breast skin discoloration or rash
• Flaking or sore on the nipple
• Bloody or inflammatory discharge from the nipple
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Collapse or retraction of the breast skin
• Pain in the breast or underarm

After Diagnosis:

After you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will perform various tests to determine the stage and type of cancer. The treatment plan will be determined according to the results of these tests. Different methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and hormone therapy can be used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Surgical Treatments and the Role of Plastic Surgery:

Surgery plays an important role in breast cancer treatment. Plastic surgeons perform different aesthetic interventions to correct deformations that occur after breast cancer treatment and help the patient regain her self-confidence.

Surgical Methods:

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which breast tissue is completely or partially removed. Types of mastectomies generally vary depending on how much breast tissue is removed and how the operation is performed. Types of mastectomies are evaluated and performed by oncologists and plastic surgeons depending on the patient’s condition and treatment goal. Each procedure has advantages and disadvantages, so patients should discuss treatment options with their doctors to determine which is the most appropriate alternative.

Common types of mastectomies:

• Partial Mastectomy: In this type of mastectomy, only part of the breast tissue is taken out. Not all breast tissue is removed, only the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue are extracted. It is sometimes called lumpectomy or partial mastectomy.
• Subtotal Mastectomy (Segmental Mastectomy): In this procedure, some of the breast tissue is removed along with the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Less tissue is taken out compared to total mastectomy.
• Total Mastectomy: In this procedure, breast tissue, nipples (areola and nipple), and sometimes lymph nodes are removed. This may be carried out to treat breast cancer or as a preventive procedure in women at high risk.
• Bilateral Mastectomy: A procedure in which both breasts are removed. Both healthy and cancerous breast tissue is extracted. Some women may choose bilateral mastectomy to reduce their risk of breast cancer.
• Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: It is a procedure in which healthy breast tissue is removed. It may be preferred by high-risk individuals such as women at high risk of breast cancer or those carrying BRCA gene mutations.

Breast (Repair) Reconstruction:

It is the process of reshaping the breast after surgery. It can be done using silicone prostheses or the patient’s own tissue.

Stages of Breast (Repair) Reconstruction:

• Simultaneous Reconstruction (Breast repair): It is a reconstruction performed at the same time as breast cancer surgery. It allows the patient to complete both cancer treatment and breast aesthetics in a single operation.
• Delayed Reconstruction (Breast Repair): It is the reconstruction performed after breast cancer treatment is completed. It is planned taking into account the patient’s general condition and response to the treatment.

Two basic methods are used to reconstruct breast tissue:

Silicone prostheses: Silicone prostheses produced in different sizes and shapes are widely used for breast reconstruction. The type and size of the prosthesis is selected based on the patient’s anatomy and preferences.

Body tissues: The breast can also be reshaped using tissues taken from the abdomen, back or butt area. This method is called “autologous tissue reconstruction”. Reconstruction with patient’s own tissue can provide a more natural appearance.

Advantages of Simultaneous Breast Reconstruction:

Simultaneous breast repair is breast reconstruction performed at the same time as breast cancer surgery. This method has many advantages:

• Single surgery: The patient completes both cancer treatment and breast aesthetics in a single surgery. This shortens the anesthesia and recovery process.
• Rapid psychological recovery: The patient’s adaptation to breast loss becomes easier and the psychological recovery process is accelerated.
• Body image is preserved: Body image distortion caused by breast loss is prevented and the patient’s self-confidence increases.

Simultaneous reconstruction may not be suitable for every patient. The eligibility decision is made by evaluating factors such as the patient’s general health condition, stage and type of cancer etc.

Psychological support:

Psychological support is also important for women diagnosed with breast cancer. They may experience many emotional changes during and after cancer treatment. These emotional changes may include feelings such as fear, anxiety, sadness, anger and loneliness. Psychological support is important to cope with these emotions and improve quality of life.

Conclusion:

Breast cancer is a disease that can be successfully treated when diagnosed early. Therefore, it is very important to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage women for early diagnosis. Breast self-examination, doctor’s examination and mammography are the most important methods for early diagnosis of breast cancer. Reconstruction of the breast removed during or after breast cancer treatment plays an important role in improving the quality of life of patients and enables patients to cling to life.

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