Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases in women. The chances of successful treatment dramatically increase if the disease diagnose at an early stage.
The incidence of breast cancer in Russia is growing at an alarming rate by 64% over the last 20 years. A deadly tumor, more recently occupied by the frequency the fourth place, now came out on top. Early detection of metastases allows to carry out timely treatment and increase its efficiency. To do this, experts strongly recommend to stick to a simple system:
1. Periodic medical examination
The breast cancer doctors of various specialties – mammologists, gynecologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists. Inspection can be passed in polyclinic, female consultation, rentgenokhirurgicheskogo office of General purpose. The specialist should carefully examine the Breasts, armpits. The next stage – the interview. Immediately tell him about all the symptoms that have arisen lately. The most common symptomatic phenomenon are seals and components in the area of the breast. Can also be a slight change breast shape, the nipple, the surface of the skin. Most of them will disappear therefore some patients do not attach importance to them in conversation with the doctor. But you need to remember that breast cancer often develops without symptoms! From your information depends your health – remember this!
2. Mammography examination
If the inspection will identify any deviations – the doctor will give you a referral for x-ray mammography. It is the clear leader in the identification of those cancers which cannot be detected by palpation. What is the procedure? Within seconds a woman is experiencing the compression of the breast. It is necessary for obtaining high-quality images. Images – mammograms – are made for each gland in two projections: straight and oblique. Only, you guessed it, 4 image. When doing a survey? It is best to go for a mammogram at the beginning of the menstrual cycle with 5 to 12 day. It can help not only to identify the earliest signs of the disease, but also to assess the extent of the process and the nature of tumor growth. This is crucial for selecting further treatment method!
3. Self-examination
Here everything depends on you. To monitor the smallest changes in the breast need every month in the post-menstrual period to conduct breast self-exams. First and foremost, inspect linen on the presence of any spots in places of contact with the nipple. Any discharge may indicate disease. When inspecting the breast, pay attention to the following factors: the change in the shape or size of the breast, thickening and retraction of the nipple or skin, the emergence of indurations and nodules in the center of the breast, even if they don’t cause pain, redness, or flaking of the breast, the secretion of fluid from the nipple, palpation of lymph nodes in the armpit. Self-examination gives an opportunity to detect tumors of a smaller size than find them. But only if self-examination to repeat regularly. Take this procedure seriously, because at stake – your health and happy life.