Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. More than half a million women worldwide die from the disease each year. However, men can also get breast cancer.
According to National Cancer Registry, in 2018, 15,017 cases of breast cancer were registered in Ukraine (14,872 women and 145 men), and 5,726 people died from this disease (5,679 women and 47 men) — excluding data from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and the city of Sevastopol. That is, for every 10 new cases of the disease in Ukraine, 3 deaths from it are registered.
In terms of incidence per 100,000 female population, breast cancer maintains a steady annual growth trend — in 2018, compared to the previous year, this increase was 3.31%. The highest incidence of women was registered in the age group 65–69 years, mortality — in the age group 80–84 years.
Already at the age of 18–24, breast cancer ranks third in the structure of morbidity among Ukrainian women (10.8%), and from 30 to 74 it consistently leads (27.6–20.6%). In the structure of cancer mortality in the female population, breast cancer prevails in the age groups 30–54, 55–74 and 75+ years and is 24.5%, 20.6% and 18.5%, respectively.
Every fourth woman is diagnosed with breast cancer at stage III–IV, when the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced.
Importantly: Cancer is curable if detected at stage I in 95% women, at stage II in 80% women, and at stage III in 50% women.
You are at risk if you have:
- first-degree relatives (mother, grandmother, sister, aunt) who have had breast cancer;
- absence of pregnancies and childbirth;
- first pregnancy at age 30 or older;
- age over 40 years;
- early onset of menstruation - before the age of 12;
- late menopause - after 55 years;
- continuous use of hormonal contraceptives for a long time, as well as hormone replacement therapy in menopause;
- diabetes;
- overweight and obesity;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- hypertension;
- previous breast cancer or ovarian cancer;
- exposure to radiation sources.
By according to WHO, 21% of all breast cancer deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol use, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity.
Consult your doctor about how often you need preventive checkups — it depends on your age and risk factors that may affect the development of cancer.
Breast cancer in its early stages (I and II) is asymptomatic and does not cause pain. Very painful menstruation and pain in the mammary glands should attract attention.
Symptoms that give reason to suspect breast cancer:
- clear or bloody discharge from the breasts;
- nipple retraction due to tumor growth into the skin;
- change in the color or texture of the skin of the breast (swelling, increase or decrease in size);
- compaction or neoplasm in the mammary glands;
- erosions, crusts, scales, ulcers in the nipple area, areola;
- enlargement of axillary or supraclavicular lymph nodes.
Prevention
To prevent breast cancer, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle (quit smoking, alcohol, engage in regular physical activity, and maintain a normal body weight), as well as undergo a medical examination on time:
- mammologist - at least once every 1–2 years;
- Women over 50 years old should have mammograms every two years.
Also, all women over the age of 20 should self-examine their breasts every month. If you notice any changes in your breasts, contact your doctor immediately!
