(Health Korea News / Lim Hae-ri) Breast cancer is something that no woman can be free from. In fact, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Korea. It mainly occurs in middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s, but recently, the number of young patients in their 20s and 30s is also increasing.
According to the 2021 National Cancer Registry Statistics, out of the 133,800 new female cancer patients, 28,720, or about 21.5%, were breast cancer patients. More than one in five new female cancer patients was diagnosed with breast cancer. The crude incidence rate, which refers to the number of cases per 100,000 females, is 111.6, and the total number of patients is 303,804.
However, breast cancer can be detected early through regular checkups, and if treated early, it is a cancer with a high cure rate. The five-year survival rate is 93.8% as of 2021. This means that although the possibility of occurrence is high, it is treatable.
Professor Kang Young-jun of the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea advised, “Breast cancer is a cancer that can be completely overcome if detected early through regular checkups,” and “Women over 30 should do a self-examination every month, those over 35 should see a specialist every two years, and those over 40 should see a specialist every one to two years.” We learned about breast cancer with the help of Professor Kang Young-jun.
◇Be careful if you have a past or family history… Long-term exposure to female hormones is also a risk factor
The cause of breast cancer is not yet clear. However, some risk factors are well known. Currently known risk factors include a history of lobular intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical hyperplasia diagnosed through a biopsy, or a family history (mother-daughter, sister). In fact, among breast cancers, there is hereditary breast cancer, which is susceptible to cancer due to inheriting cancer genes from parents. In Korea, hereditary breast cancer accounts for 5-10% of all breast cancers. In the United States, it is known that about 12%, which is even higher, are hereditary. Of course, not everyone who has cancer genes will develop cancer. They just have a higher chance of developing cancer than other people. It is known that having cancer genes increases the incidence rate by 60-80%.
It is known that the risk of breast cancer increases with a longer period of exposure to female hormones (estrogen), such as early menarche, late menopause, no childbirth or breastfeeding experience, or late first childbirth. Obesity, use of female hormones such as birth control pills, alcohol, caffeine, and radiation are also considered risk factors.
Professor Kang Young-jun said, “If you can feel a lump in your breast, your nipple is inverted, your breast skin is swollen and your pores are protruding, looking like an orange peel, or your nipple has bloody discharge, you may have breast cancer.” He added, “If you have symptoms, you should also consider the possibility that some time has passed since they occurred.”
◇Early detection through regular checkups is important… After age 40, get a mammogram every 1-2 years
The most important thing for preventing breast cancer is early detection through regular checkups.Breast cancer is diagnosed in three ways: ‘self-examination’, ‘clinical examination’ by a doctor, and ‘image examination’ such as X-ray or ultrasound. It is best to do a self-examination about a week after the end of menstruation every month. If menstruation is absent due to pregnancy or menopause, a set date is set each month. However, self-examination is not accurate. Therefore, after the age of 35, it is necessary to have a clinical examination by a doctor every two years, and after the age of 40, it is necessary to have a mammogram or other examination every 1-2 years.
Professor Kang said, “In the case of Korean women, since their breast tissue tends to be dense, it is advisable to undergo both a mammogram and an ultrasound scan,” but added, “However, for young women under the age of 40, although their breast tissue tends to be very dense, it is better to avoid radiation exposure if possible, so unless it is a special case, we recommend giving priority to an ultrasound scan.”
The most essential treatment for breast cancer is surgery.Depending on the tumor condition, surgical methods to remove cancerous tissue, radiation therapy to prevent local recurrence at the surgical site, systemic treatment such as anticancer chemotherapy, antihormonal therapy, and targeted therapy are performed. In cases where a total mastectomy is performed, breast restoration surgery can also be performed. In the past, total mastectomy was the mainstream, but recently, attempts are being made to minimize the scope of surgery as much as possible, such as partial mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, and sentinel lymph node biopsy, to improve the quality of life of patients.
◇There is no such thing as good or bad food… Appropriate nutrition, exercise, and weight management are important
After surgery, it is recommended to maintain a regular lifestyle, including light exercise and sufficient rest, and it is especially important to have the mindset to enjoy a normal daily life free from anxiety about cancer.
There are no particularly good or bad foods for breast cancer.. It is not very meaningful to link Westernized food with breast cancer. Generally, you should eat mainly healthy foods that are known to be good for you. Avoid foods that are known to be bad for you, such as high-calorie, fatty foods or excessive drinking. In particular, Obesity is bad for breast cancer patients. Avoid foods or lifestyle habits that cause weight gain. Coffee, cola, green tea, vitamin calcium supplements, etc., which are snack foods, are okay. Professor Kang Young-jun advised, “Rather than looking for foods that are known to be good, eating a variety of nutrients evenly, exercising appropriately, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular health checkups are helpful in preventing breast cancer.”
(Tip 1. High risk group for breast cancer)
1. Women whose mother or sibling has breast cancer
2. Women who have had breast cancer in one breast
3. Women who have never given birth
4. Women who gave birth for the first time after the age of 30.
5. Women who are obese or consume excessive amounts of animal fat.
6. Women who have been exposed to hormonal stimulation for a long time, such as early menarche, late menopause, or long-term administration of female hormones after menopause.
7. Women who have received radiation therapy to the chest area or have been exposed to strong radiation.
8. Women who have persistent breast problems (lump lesions, etc.) or have had malignant tumors in the endometrium, ovaries, or colon.
(Tip 2. Breast cancer self-diagnosis method)
1. Look in the mirror and compare the shape and contour of your breasts to the normal shape and shape of your breasts, as well as the symmetry between the left and right sides.
2. Interlock your fingers behind your back and stretch your arms forward while applying force to check for any depressions in the skin.
3. Raise the arm on the breast being examined above your head and use the base of the first joints of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers of the opposite hand to draw a circle clockwise from the upper outer side of the breast and move inward.
4. Check for lumps above and below the collarbone and under the armpit.
5. Observe whether there is any abnormal discharge from the nipple.
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