“Cancer” is known as a deadly disease that everyone fears. For women, “breast cancer” is considered a very frightening silent threat because it comes without warning signs. Did you know that the advancement of the digital world today brings breast cancer closer to us if we live incorrectly? Dr. Wipavee Sanphasitwong, a head, neck, and breast surgeon at the Head, Neck, and Breast Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital, will explain this disease.
Pay close attention before the deadly disease strikes
Dr. Wipavee explains that breast cancer is the number one cancer among Thai women and is also a major cause of death among Thai women.
“From experience in caring for breast cancer patients, one fact found is that most women come to see a doctor because of symptoms rather than for breast cancer screening. Recently, more women have become aware of the importance of screening, increasing the chances of detecting cancer at an early stage. The most common symptom that brings patients for examination is finding a lump in the breast.”
These factors increase the risk of breast cancer
Although breast cancer is a disease with no identifiable cause, there are risk factors that increase the chance of developing the disease. Dr. Wipavee says that having large or small breasts does not affect the risk, but these factors are what women should be cautious about.
Modifiable factors
- Women who have no children or have children after the age of 30 have a slightly increased risk
- Women who breastfeed for more than 1 year can slightly reduce the risk
- Women who use female hormones after prolonged menopause
- Women who are overweight
- Women who smoke
- Women who consume alcoholic beverages
Non-modifiable factors
- Age: the older you are, the higher the risk
- Genetics
- Early menstruation or late menopause
- Breast tissue density, with Asian women having denser breast tissue than European or American women
Checklist of common breast cancer symptoms
- A lump in the breast
- Changes in the appearance of the breast
- Fluid or blood discharge from the nipple
- Pain in the armpit, which is a symptom of cancer spreading to the lymph nodes in the armpit
Detect malignancy with mammogram
The standard breast examination with clear evidence of reducing the risk of death from cancer is a digital mammogram combined with breast ultrasound. Mammograms show very small abnormalities that cannot be detected by palpation. This method is therefore recommended for all women of appropriate age to begin breast cancer screening.
Mammograms help detect breast cancer at an early stage, and squeezing or pressing the breast does not increase the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, digital mammograms use relatively low radiation, with one mammogram equivalent to two chest X-rays, which is considered very low.
Detect abnormalities early with “self-examination”
Breast self-examination is useful for women to become familiar with their own breasts. When abnormalities occur, they can be detected earlier than those who do not observe themselves. The best time for self-examination is 7 days after the start of menstruation because the breasts are less swollen and tender. For menopausal women, choose a convenient day each month for regular self-examination.
How to treat when malignancy is found
The treatment process for breast cancer begins with diagnosis, which includes medical history, physical examination, radiological tests such as breast ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy. When all three results align, treatment planning should begin immediately.
Individualized treatment for the best outcome
Current breast cancer treatment involves a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized based on the stage, type, breast characteristics, and patient’s overall condition.
For surgery, doctors consider the disease characteristics, stage, patient’s physical suitability, and patient preferences. Every step in breast cancer treatment emphasizes individualized care based on medical evidence.
Treatment outcomes depend on the stage at detection
Breast cancer has many types, and treatment outcomes depend mainly on the type and stage of the disease. Treatment is most effective when patients follow the treatment plan continuously and completely with the medical team. The general overview is as follows:
- Stage 1 – Stage 2 with an average cure rate of over 90%
- Stage 3 with an average cure rate of about 70%
- Stage 4 or metastatic stage treatment may not aim for a cure, but survival rates beyond 5 years are increasing. Therefore, do not assume that patients with metastatic disease have no chance of treatment to prolong life.
Risks of choosing alternative treatments
Currently, some cancer patients use alternative treatments such as herbal medicine before seeing modern doctors. Dr. Wipavee says that patients who choose alternative treatments face the following:
- Loss of opportunity for effective treatment If detected at stage 1, the chance of cure is 90%. Choosing alternative methods first reduces the chance of effective treatment.
- Loss of opportunity for good quality of life Surgery for stage 1 and 2 patients under modern medical treatment not only provides good treatment outcomes but also maintains quality of life, preserving breast appearance or reconstruction.
- Exemption from chemotherapy Early-stage breast cancer patients treated promptly may not need chemotherapy in some cases.
- Side effects from alternative treatments may prevent patients from receiving modern medical treatment.
How to prevent breast cancer
- Avoid risk factors
- Regularly perform monthly breast self-examinations
- At age 35-40, undergo breast screening with digital mammogram and breast ultrasound or as advised by a doctor
Digital age women must choose wisely
Today, we have faster and greater access to information, including breast cancer information, which includes valuable knowledge, advice from doctors, healthcare professionals, and reliable research. However, there is also information passed by word of mouth about prevention, screening, and treatment that is unreliable. Believing such information can cause loss of treatment opportunities. Therefore, we should consume news carefully to truly benefit from the digital world.
Besides self-breast examination, all doctors want patients to come for breast cancer screening rather than only when symptoms appear because symptoms mean cancer is already affecting the patient’s life.
Head, Neck, and Breast Surgeon
Head, Neck, and Breast Center
