- The main challenge of breast cancer in Mexico is that 85% of cases are detected in advanced stages.
- 77.7% of women with this tumor die in five years or less.
- The average age at which this disease is diagnosed in the country is 54 years.
Breast cancer is one of the most common in Mexico, occupying more than 15% of all cases and 28% among women. Although one of the most worrying points is that each year it causes seven thousand deaths and the trend continues to rise. Now the most important thing is to know how this disease can be prevented or at least achieve timely detection.
With this in mind, the biggest challenge of this neoplasm is that most cases are identified in advanced stages. In fact, it is estimated that 77.7 percent of women who suffer from it in our country die in five years or less.
Due to the above, the Dr. Arielle Medfordwho is a specialist in Medical Oncology at the Cancer Center of Massachusetts General Hospitalshares four key points to prevent and detect breast cancer.
1. The factors that influence its development
“Cancer is a term we use to define cells that grow without obeying the rules of the body. This is caused by mutations in the cells’ DNA. If there are inherited mutations, it is easier to develop a tumor. For example, mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes occur in 5-10% of the cases of this type of neoplasia, and with these mutations there is more risk”.
These mutations can be generated by different factors:
- Most cancer cases occur at an older age. For example, in Mexico the average age of people with breast cancer is 54 years, and 45% of the cases are between 50 and 59.
- Family history: If you have a direct relative who has suffered from this type of disease, the probability of developing it increases, so prevention becomes important.
- Radiation exposure: If a person has received radiation as a treatment for another type of cancer, it is possible that this will generate mutations that promote the development of this type of tumor.
- Controllable factors: It is proven that alcohol consumption and obesity can promote the development of breast cancer, so it is important to control these two factors.
2. Breast cancer screening: what tests should a woman have and how often?
“The most widely used screening tools are mammography and MRI. The second is used only in young women, since they have denser breasts, which can limit the effectiveness of a mammogram.
The difference between the two tests is that mammograms use X-rays; On the other hand, MRIs use magnets. In each one, the breast is observed in a different way, so the recommendation is to insert a test every year for young patients.
Dr. Medford indicates that, for people over 40 or 50 years of age, it is only recommended to use mammograms because they are effective at an older age because the breast tissue becomes less dense, which makes it easier to visualize and detect any abnormalities.
In the case of self-examination, it is recommended only to monitor changes in the breasts and then consult a doctor; however, it is not a substitute for the use of detection technologies such as those mentioned above.
Regarding the periodicity, depending on the risk factors and the decision-making with the doctors, it is recommended to perform them every year from the age of 40 to 50. But if there is a known genetic mutation or family history, screening can start at a younger age.
Patients over the age of 75 should discuss with their physician whether or not to continue screening.
3. Treatments against breast cancer: from surgery to recurrence
Dr. Arielle Medford points out that when a patient is diagnosed with this disease there are various stages during your treatment.
- Patients with cancer only in the breast should have a lumpectomy or mastectomy, in which the tumor, abnormal breast tissue, and at least one lymph node are removed.
- In the case of lumpectomy, where only the tumor is removed, everyone must receive radiation. If lymph nodes are involved when there is surgery, patients should receive radiation therapy, as it helps reduce the chance that the cancer will come back in the breast or if it has spread to other parts of the body.
- Most patients must take medication before and/or after surgery, but this is not necessarily chemotherapy. The type of medicine will also depend on the type of cancer.
- Innovation for the detection of residual cancer: For patients who have already overcome cancer, it is recommended to have mammograms every year to rule out a possible recurrence.
Depending on each type of cancer is the probability of a relapse or recurrence. For this reason, promoting research into procedures that help detect the existence of residual cancer more effectively is important to promote success and overcome the disease.
4. Raising awareness about breast cancer is key to preventing it
The figures indicate that only 20% of Mexican women have a mammogram. Furthermore, 85% of breast cancer cases are detected in advanced stages.
When cancer is detected early, the chances of overcoming it increase, but when it is already in advanced stages, such as metastasis, it is more difficult to cure it, so treatment is only aspired to control it.
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