Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. According to statistics, the incidence of breast cancer accounts for 7-10% of all kinds of malignant tumors in the whole body. It is often genetic and occurs in women between 40 and 60 years of age, before and after menopause.
A malignant tumor usually occurring in the epithelium of the mammary gland. In addition, experts warn that there are nine common misunderstandings about breast cancer:
Mammograms once a year can cause breast cancer.
Truth: the word “never” will never appear in any medical book, and we can only say that breast cancer caused by regular mammograms is very, very rare. Mammograms do carry a small amount of radiation, but they are subject to strict monitoring by industry standards and regulations, so they are relatively safe.
For your advice: mammograms should be taken every year from age 40, and if you’re under 40 and aren’t a high risk group for breast cancer, you don’t need it. If you are under 40 and are one of the few people with breast cancer in particular, talk to your doctor about your need for mammograms and other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound and mri.
Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer must undergo chemotherapy.
Truth: chemotherapy may be needed. But there are also some types of breast cancer that are treated surgically or radiotherapy with hormones. Breast cancer is not just a single disease. There are many types of breast cancer. Although doctors refer to them as breast cancer, different types of breast cancer require different treatments. So, every breast cancer patient is treated differently.
For your advice: early detection of a tumor usually means less chance of needing chemotherapy. But if it’s part of your treatment, it doesn’t mean the cancer is getting worse. Chemotherapy can remove cancer cells from the body as soon as possible and, to a greater extent, prevent the spread of cancer cells to improve the quality of life.
Breast cancer is more likely to kill women than other cancers.
Truth: lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer. About 72,130 people died in the United States in 2006, compared with 40,970 in the United States, according to the American cancer society. And breast cancer mortality is decreasing. Nowadays, most cancers can be detected earlier when they are easier to treat.
Advice for you: your chances of survival depend largely on the stage at which cancer is discovered. So regular breast exams and mammograms can help you find it at a treatable stage.
The first sign of breast cancer is a painless lump.
Truth: many women get breast exams so hard they can find lumps. But we should also note any thickening, redness, or asymmetry in the breast tissue. It is also important to observe changes in the nipple and skin.
For your advice: do a monthly self-test from age 20. A comprehensive breast examination should involve the area around the clavicle and even bilateral lymph nodes (under each side of the armpit). Remember, eight out of 10 masses are benign. Most of the lumps you find are benign cysts (or fibroids). But if you find any lumps, don’t be late and ask your doctor for a diagnosis.
Standard mammography is out of date and not as effective as other imaging tests.
Truth: studies have shown that regular mammograms can reduce the risk of death by as much as 44 percent, a figure that has so far been questioned, but it is undeniable that standard mammography is still the best form of regular mammography available. In the face of concerns about mammograms, many patients benefit from ultrasound or mri supplements.
Advice for you: if you’re under 50 and have thick breasts, or are still menstruating, you can ask your doctor for a digital mammogram (using a computer, not an X-ray to record a mammogram). If the mammogram is suspect, talk to your doctor about adding an ultrasound to avoid possible but unnecessary biopsies to prevent scarring and obstructing future observations.
Once breast cancer has not returned in 5 years, your cancer is completely cured.
Truth: even though most of these recurrences occur within 3 to 5 years of the last onset, breast cancer can still recur at any time, no matter how long the interval. Some patients even have another attack 30 years after the cure. Five years is just a concept of time in medical statistics. For patients, the number is meaningless.
Advice for you: according to statistics, 25 percent of breast cancer recurrence is 5 years after the onset, so whenever you have breast cancer, even in the distant past, when you find new signs, be sure to see a doctor.
Once breast cancer is found, the tumor must be removed immediately or it will spread quickly.
Truth: only a handful of cases are tumors that spread so rapidly that immediate action is needed. Breast cancer generally develops more slowly than most other cancers. Breast cancer has been in the breast for about 3 to 15 years.
Advice for you: in most cases, taking a few weeks to examine your other options is absolutely beneficial and harmless, such as the possibility of breast-conserving treatment rather than total mastectomy. You can also use this time to get advice from other doctors and give yourself plenty of time to make mental adjustments.
Most women with breast cancer have a family history.
Truth: only about 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients have a family history. Even at this rate, not all genes are involved. Sometimes the common risk factors are just similar lifestyle, behavior and eating habits among relatives.
Advice for you: just because someone in your family has breast cancer doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily at risk of a genetic mutation, or that the gene is certain to cause cancer and one day it will. But it’s still important to know your family history and get a breast cancer check-up regularly.
If you don’t have any risk factors, you won’t get breast cancer.
Truth: the vast majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors. However, there is still a high risk of breast cancer if there is one: someone in your family has breast cancer; Never gave birth or gave birth after the age of 30; Drink more than once a day; Younger age at the beginning of menstruation or later menopause; Postmenopausal overweight or sedentary habits.
Advice for you: there is no absolute way to prevent breast cancer, but you can reduce your risk by exercising, controlling your weight, and limiting your alcohol intake. Those at high risk should have a full breast exam every year. Women with high risk factors (family history, or biopsy results showing atypical cells) should consider taking anti-estrogen drugs.
