This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong On - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.Breast cancer is the leading malignancy and mortality in women. Currently, many women are not aware of the importance of early breast cancer screening, so most cases of breast cancer are detected at a late stage, the treatment is difficult and expensive. The following article will provide more information about this disease.
1. What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease where cancer cells form in breast tissue. About 70% of all breast cancers start in the ducts (where milk comes out of the nipple) and 10% start in the lobules (where milk is made).
2. Causes of breast cancer
Until now, the exact cause of breast cancer has not been determined. Here are the risk factors for developing breast cancer.
Gender, age: Women have a higher risk of breast cancer than men, 99% of all breast cancers occur in women. Older women are more likely to develop the disease than younger women, with nearly 80% of breast cancers occurring in women over the age of 50.
Gene: According to statistics, about 5-10% of breast cancer cases have genetic mutations. Currently, genetic testing can detect mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; TP53 helps in the prognosis and screening of breast cancer.
Genetics: A family history of first-generation breast cancer is considered a risk factor.
Early menarche and late menopause: Endocrine factors are associated with breast cancer. People with a long endocrine life (early menarche, late menopause) belong to a group with a higher risk of breast cancer than normal people.
Not having children or not breastfeeding: Not having a baby or having a baby late (after age 30), not breastfeeding increases the risk of breast cancer.
History of radiation therapy to the chest: People with a history of radiation to the chest (especially before age 40) have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Diet, lifestyle: Women who drink alcohol, a diet high in fat and sugar increase the risk of breast cancer.
Sedentary: Being sedentary is also one of the risk factors for breast cancer.
Birth control pills, hormone therapy: Women with a history of taking oral contraceptives, using hormone therapy after menopause increase the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer can be prevented by limiting risk factors (limiting hormone replacement therapy, losing weight, increasing exercise,...) disease can be detected early.
Giới tính, tuổi, gan là một trong số những nguyên nhân gây bệnh ung thư vú
3. How long does it take for breast cancer to develop?
Advanced stages of breast cancer include:
Stage 0: Precancerous
There is no evidence that the cancer has spread from where the cancer started in the breast. Stage 0 cancer has not invaded nearby tissue. If detected in time at this stage, the chance of cure is up to 90-100%. Stage I: Invasive Stage
Stage IA The breast tumor is 2 cm or less in size and no cancer is found in the lymph nodes. Stage IB Breast tumor is 2 cm or less (or no tumor is detected) and detects small groups of cancer cells (about 0.2 and 2.0 mm in size) in 1 to 3 lymph nodes under the arm. Stage II: Advanced Stage
Stage IIA: Breast tumor is 2 cm or less (or no tumor is detected) and cancer is found (greater than 2.0 mm) in 1 to 3 lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone; or the tumor is 2 to 5 cm in size and no cancer is found in the lymph nodes. Stage IIB: The breast tumor is 2 to 5 cm in size and small groups of cancer cells (0.2 to 2.0 mm in size) are found in the lymph nodes; or the tumor is 2 to 5 cm in size and cancer is found in 1 to 3 lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone; or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and no cancer is found in the lymph nodes. Stage III: Extensive Stage
Stage IIIA: The breast tumor may be any size (or no tumor can be found) and cancer is found in 4 to 9 lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the sternum; or 13 tumors larger than 5 cm and small groups of cancer cells (0.2 to 2.0 mm in size) found in the lymph nodes; or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and cancer is found in 1 to 3 lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Stage IIIB: The breast tumor can be any size and the cancer has spread to the chest wall and/or to the skin of the chest and causes swelling or ulcers. In addition, cancer can be found in up to 9 lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone. (Inflammatory breast cancer is classified as at least stage IIIB. This type of breast cancer can also be classified as stage IIIC or IV.) Stage IIIC: The breast tumor can be any size. (or no tumor is detected) and the cancer may have spread to the skin of the chest and caused swelling or ulcers and/or has spread to the chest wall. In addition, cancer is found in 10 or more lymph nodes under the arm, or in the lymph nodes above or below the collarbone, or in the lymph nodes under the arm and nearby lymph nodes. sternum. Stage IV: Metastatic Stage
Breast tumors can be any size and can be detected in other areas of the body, usually in the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.
4. Why early breast cancer screening?
Khám sàng lọc ung thư vú sớm để chủ động phòng tránh bệnh
Breast cancer has a "preclinical" period lasting up to 8-10 years. During this period, screening tests are required to detect the disease. Currently, late diagnosis is a common situation of cancers in Vietnam, including breast cancer. More than 70% of breast cancer patients are detected at stage III and IV.
The earlier the disease is detected, the higher the cure rate. The 5-year survival rate decreased from 100% in the preclinical stage (stage 0) to 95% in stage I, 80% in stage II, 72% in stage III, and to stage IV only 25%.
Benefits of early breast cancer screening:
Detecting the disease early even when there are no symptoms. Timely treatment, reduce the risk of death. Offers the opportunity for breast-conserving surgery; Reducing costs and especially keeping feminine beauty helps maintain quality of life and family happiness. Breast cancer screening packages at Vinmec International General Hospital help detect breast cancers early even when there are no symptoms. The advantages of breast cancer screening at Vinmec include:
Highly qualified and experienced doctors. Comprehensive professional cooperation with domestic and international hospitals: Singapore, Japan, USA,... Comprehensive patient care and treatment, multi-specialty coordination towards individualizing each patient. Having a full range of specialized facilities to diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, histopathological diagnosis, gene-cell testing, .. There are full range of main cancer treatment methods: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, ... Vinmec's breast cancer screening package applies to the following customers:
Female customers, over 40 years old. Customers wishing to be able to screen for breast cancer pathology. Customers at high risk of cancer – especially customers with a family history of breast cancer. Women of reproductive age, perimenopause and menopause. Women who are having symptoms of breast cancer such as: Pain in the breast, lump in the breast, ...
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
