< p _ngcontent-sc90="" class="news-annotation">Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases in women. Unfortunately, in Ukraine one often hears how people neglect their health, often ignore the elementary steps that can be taken to prevent the disease. More in the exclusive blog for Channel 24 website.
Deadly statistics
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor of the glandular tissue of the breast. This is the most common form of cancer in women. The number of cases of breast cancer is increasing every year.
Approximately half a million women die every year from this disease worldwide. In 2020, 12,824 new cases of breast cancer were recorded in Ukraine, of which 88 were in men, the rest were women. Early diagnosis, that is, at stages I – II of the disease, increases the chances of a full recovery with much less effort. However, when the disease is in stage III or IV, the treatment is more aggressive, the process is much longer. Every fourth woman is diagnosed with breast cancer already at stages III-IV, when the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced.
Simple life-saving rules
It should be noted that the statistics of recent years suggests that the percentage of people cured of breast cancer is increasing. Mortality is reduced due to early diagnosis and the optimal method of using the therapy complex.
With the outbreak of hostilities on the territory of our state in 2022, many patients faced problems. After all, some regions fell into occupation, respectively, to carry out treatment or preventive research has become almost impossible. Some women have left our country, and they do not always have the opportunity to carry out a preventive examination.
The best treatment for any disease is prevention. Therefore, experts recommend monthly self-examination of the mammary glands from the age of 18. From 25 to 40 years old, an examination by a mammologist and ultrasound of the mammary glands is recommended annually. After 40 years and up to 50 – screening mammography once every two years. After 50 years – screening mammography annually.
Of course, there may be a question, but where to go if I want to get tested. To do this, you need to contact your family doctor, who will issue a referral for diagnostics.
It is also necessary to carry out self-examination of the mammary glands once a month. The first signs that women should pay attention to:
- formation or induration in the mammary glands;
- change in the contour or shape of the mammary glands;
- retraction of the nipple breast, bleeding from the nipple;
- change in skin condition, retraction of the skin at a certain interval;
- an increase in axillary lymph nodes.
What brings the disease closer
To prevent the development of oncopathologies, it is necessary to remember about preventive measures aimed at observing the basic rules of a healthy lifestyle: rational nutrition, normalization of weight, giving up bad habits (smoking and excessive alcohol consumption), physical activity in accordance with the age category, prolonged breastfeeding feeding, normal night sleep.
According to WHO, 21% of all deaths from breast cancer in the world are caused by alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity.
Therefore, every year in October we pay attention on breast cancer in women. Now during the war, it is important to remember that no one canceled the disease. On the contrary, when there are many stressful events, it all takes a toll on our body. Therefore, I appeal to women – do not neglect your health. Go for a routine checkup with a mammologist. These are the simple things that save your life. Be healthy!
