The breast consists of the mammary glands and the ducts that carry the milk produced from it to the teat. In its most general form, breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when one or some of the cell groups that make up the breast tissue undergo changes. Cancer is seen due to the uncontrolled proliferation of this cell group due to the tumor. The cancerous tissue primarily affects its immediate surroundings. It then proceeds to the lymph nodes in the armpit and then to other organs through the blood. If it is not diagnosed in time and treatment is not started, it will spread to other organs. Therefore, one of the cancer types for which early diagnosis is most important is breast cancer.

Unfortunately, breast cancer has become much more common in recent years. According to the latest studies, the risk of developing breast cancer at one time in a woman’s lifetime has decreased to 1 in 8. Especially in advancing age, the incidence of this cancer corresponds to higher figures. We will also touch on how breast cancer is diagnosed, risk factors or the operation process. But first, let’s consider how a breast tumor is understood.

What is the incidence of breast cancer?

Every 10 minutes in the world, 1 woman dies because of breast cancer. Although there is no data for Turkey, 200.000 people get breast cancer every year in America, and 50.000 women die due to breast cancer every year.

In our country, our early diagnosis rate is around 30%. We know that one out of every eight women has breast cancer in the world.

How to Identify a Breast Tumor?

In the case of a tumor in the breast, this mass can often be detected by palpation. At the same time, we can say that imaging tests such as ultrasound imaging can also be used. The tumor of breast cancer does not necessarily have to be in the breast tissue. Tumors can also occur under the armpit. Most of the time, with the growth of this mass, there is an inward retraction of the nipple, or in other words, a collapse.

In rare cases, nipple discharge occurs. This discharge can be bloody or bloodless. In such cases, it is vital to consult a doctor without delay. Especially after the age of 40, women are asked to look at their breasts in the mirror and check their breasts after taking a bath once a month. If a hard mass is felt in the breast tissue or armpit during manual controls, even if it is the size of a rice grain, you should make your doctor’s appointment immediately.

What Are Breast Cancer Risk Factors?

In general, we can convey a short list of breast cancer risk factors:

  • Giving birth for the first time after age 30
  • Not having given birth
  • Not having breastfed the baby
  • Long-term hormone therapy
  • Being woman
  • Having had breast cancer before
  • Being between 50 and 70 years old
  • Being in menopause
  • Having a family history of breast cancer
  • Using tobacco products and alcohol
  • Entering the menstrual period at an early age
  • Late menopause
  • Lead a sedentary life
  • Being overweight
  • Driving modern city life

As can be seen, the risk factors are quite high and therefore the probability of this cancer being seen in women is also high. Especially those with a family history of breast cancer should have regular screenings. In this way, early diagnosis may be possible. Therefore, the treatment phase can be started as soon as possible.

What are the Breast Cancer Diagnostic Methods?

In order to be diagnosed with breast cancer, patients must be examined. It will also be necessary to seek help from imaging tests such as ultrasound imaging and mammography. Your doctor may also want you to have tests such as MRI in order to make a healthy diagnosis. It may also be necessary to enter the canal at the nipple with very thin fiberoptic systems and to examine the milk ducts, namely ductoscopy. Diagnosis is much easier with this examination performed by administering contrast material from the nipple. In this way, it will be possible to understand at what stage the cancer is. These examinations are concluded in a short time. Therefore, if breast cancer is diagnosed, treatment is started at the earliest stage.

How is breast cancer screening done?

For this reason, mammography over the age of 40 is a must in many countries, including our country. Because early diagnosis of breast cancer saves lives.

How to understand that the mass in the breast is benign?

One of the most wondering matters of women is how the mass in the breast is determined whether the mass is benign. Benign tumors consisting of the breast are the name of Fibroadenom. Especially in 10% of women aged 15 to 30, this mass is available. In the period of pregnancy, these masses become evident and starts to shrink with the menopause period. It is also necessary to indicate that if the masses are too much, it can increase the risk of breast cancer.

These masses are also called ‘breast mouse’ among the people. The reason is that they can escape between the fingers during the manual examination. These masses are able to be treated without surgery. They have proper limits in the ultrasound imaging. They are round or ellipse. The diameter of a large portion of 90% of these masses is smaller than 3 cm. In rare cases, the diameter of these masses can find 15 cm. Necessarily biopsy should be made when the suspicion of being malignant is less. Thus, more detailed information about the type of mass can be reached. However, it is not necessary to make a biopsy for each well-tempered mass.

What are the types of breast cancer surgery?

20 years ago, the entire breast was removed (radical mastectomy) in breast cancer. Technological and scientific developments, now only the tumor in the breast is removed (segmental mastectomy), if necessary, silicone is placed on the removed area and the shape of the breast is not distorted.

In the past, all of the underarm lymph nodes were removed, but most people’s lymph drainage is damaged and that arm swells. (axillary dissection)

Now, by giving a dye from the nipple, the first lymph node in the axilla is detected and only that lymph node is removed during the operation (sentinal lymph node dissection), the pathologist evaluates it and if there is no cancer, the other lymph nodes are not removed.

As a result, breast cancer surgeries should not be operated without good research.

How long does the breast cancer surgery?

In general, we cannot say that the mass surgery in the breast is completed in the same time in each patient. The diameter of the mass may vary depending on which tissues, which are connected to, such as species and the type of mass. In order to give an idea in general, we may indicate that the surgery is driven from 60 minutes to 150 minutes. Patients should rest in the clinical environment as the surgery takes place. They can go to their homes as discharged after 1 day unless there is a problem. Following the operation, they can return to normal life after 5 hours from operation.

The surgery is carried out under general anesthesia, but there may be pain after the operation. Patients may need to use pain relief medicine prescribed by the doctor for several days.

Will dren necessary for breast surgery?

The drenmust be put duringoperation. In this way, the liquid is evacuated from the body. The amount of this liquid is dropped below 30 to 40 milliliters, the drain is removed and this takes several days down.

Is malignancy in the breast a sign of cancer?

Each mass formed in the breast is not every tumor cancer. The breast masses are discussed in two different groups in this respect. These;

  • Benign (benign)
  • Malignant (malignant)

As seen, malignancy is the type of mass of cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the mass in question. For this, some imaging examinations may be utilized, as well as biopsy process may be required. In this way, the most accurate diagnosis of breast cancer is placed in the earliest period.

Is Breast Pain a Sign of Cancer?

Pain in the breast tissue outside of menstrual periods is considered one of the symptoms. It is also important that all women know about the symptoms of breast cancer. We can list these symptoms as follows:

  • Presence of a palpable mass in the breast or armpit
  • Asymmetry between the two breasts
  • Collapse on the nipple or breast skin
  • Redness or sore on the breast
  • Eczema-like appearance, crusting or cracks on the breast skin
  • Change in shape or direction of the nipple
  • Having an orange peel-like appearance on the breast skin
  • An unusual growth in both or just one of the breasts
  • Swelling or stiffness under the armpit
  • Having a pink or red discharge from the nipple

How is Breast Mass Treatment?

Breast mass treatment is usually performed by surgical method. Conservative breast surgery can also be performed. You can write your questions about the subject in the comment section.

Who should have breast surgery for the prevention?

Since the risk of breast cancer in a person whose mother, grandmother and aunt has breast cancer is 25%, breast tissue can be drained and silicone breasts can be placed in these people.

What is the death rate in breast cancer?

Treatment of breast cancer is very easy when diagnosed early. Since the surgical technique is very advanced, the death rate has decreased a lot.

In breast cancers, death usually occurs in delayed cases.

Can we reduce the risk of breast cancer?

In fact, the risk can be reduced with exercise, regular nutrition and routine controls, which are valid for all cancers.

1 in 100 breast cancer occurs in men. We’ve seen it twice in 20 years. These people are over 70 years of age and have improved with surgical treatment.

Is chemotherapy or radiotherapy necessary after breast cancer surgery?

Postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy are decided by the oncologists after the mass removed from the breast is examined by the pathologist.

They can return to their normal lives after a short treatment (1-6 months) in breast cancers that are caught in the early stage.

What is lymphedema (post-operative arm swelling)?

The biggest reason for post-operative arm swelling is related to the use of old technology in surgery and the experience of the surgeon.

However, it can also occur after radiotherapy, this depends on the oncology.

Are hormonal drugs used in breast cancers?

Some breast cancers may be sensitive to the female hormone estrogen. In this type of cancer,drugs can be given for 3-5 yearsafter the surgery.

What are the diseases similar to breast cancer?

Paget’s disease

It is a reddened lesion on the nipple. The diagnosis is made by taking a biopsy from the nipple.

The treatment is surgery.

Inflamed breast (inflamed breast)

Sometimes the inflammation in the breast can be confused with cancer. Recently, we see a lot of tuberculosis in the breast. For this reason, the experience of the surgeon is very important.

Again, the treatment in these diseases is surgery.

Intraductal papilloma

It is a benign tumor of the milk ducts behind the nipple. The treatment is surgery.

Fat necrosis

It is seen in advanced age. It is seen in women with excess adipose tissue.

It occurs as a result of trauma or infection.