LIFE COMES FIRST.

A dip in the sea, hot coffee on cold days, the smile of the one you love, a tight hug…

With distancing due to the pandemic, simple moments in our daily lives have become even more precious. Appreciating life every day also involves taking care of your health. As hard as it may sound, it involves facing illnesses as well.

Especially in the case of breast cancer, the chances of cure increase considerably when discovered in its earliest stage. Therefore, keeping the exams up to date is the key to cherish, enjoy, and continue living these moments in full health.

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Because we avoid even saying the name, many people also do not know how and why this disease arises – and especially in the breasts.

Breast cancer is formed by the abnormal proliferation of cells in the breast tissue in a rapid and disordered manner as a result of genetic changes. However, this does not mean that breast cancer is always hereditary.

In the normal functioning of our body, old cells are replaced by new cells. Genetic mutations can alter the cell’s ability to keep its splitting under control,

forming tumors. Benign tumors are not cancerous and are close to normal in appearance, do not invade neighboring tissues, and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous, and if their cells are not controlled, they can grow and invade other parts of the body.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from cells in the breast,
usually beginning in the cells lining the mammary duct. More seldom, it can
start in other breast tissues, such as adipose and fibrous tissues.

WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer has no single cause, and several factors are related to the increased risk of developing the disease:

HOW TO CONTINUE THE CARE?

Now that you know what may or may not contribute to the appearance of tumors and have understood the importance of keeping good habits in your daily life, the second step is to keep your doctor’s appointments up to date. How long has it been since you have seen a gynecologist or mastologist?

Thanks to the periodic examinations recommended by doctors, it is possible to detect tumors at an early stage and thereby achieve up to 95% chances of cure. It is worth scheduling an appointment every year, isn’t it?

Along with routine procedures requested by gynecologists, such as ultrasounds and Pap smears, doctors order specific tests to detect breast cancer.

The National Commission of Mammography, composed of the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM), the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO), and the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR), recommend annual screening mammography starting at age 40 for women at usual risk, and starting at age 25-30 for high-risk women.

However, to clarify diagnoses with tangible changes, mammography should be performed at any age whenever necessary.

EVEN IF YOU DO ALL THE TESTS, BE SURE TO LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS THAT COULD BE AN INDICATION OF CANCER:

  • A stationary and usually painless nodule
  • Reddened, retracted, or orange peel-like skin
  • Nipple alterations
  • Nodules in the neck or armpit
  • Liquid leaking from the nipples

If you notice any of these, see your doctor immediately!

AND IF IT'S BREAST CANCER?

If it’s cancer, there’s treatment – lots of them!
Every year, technology and medicine advance towards more and more effective and less invasive treatments. In other words, there are many possibilities in the search for a cure.
Since not all cancers are the same, treatments also vary according to the type and stage of the disease:

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

In the past, every woman who had to have her breast removed due to a breast cancer diagnosis was forced to live without one or both breasts, and few patients were able to have a breast reconstruction or an implant.


This scenario has changed and, by law, mastectomized women have the right to have their breasts reconstructed in the same surgical procedure. The Brazilian Society of Mastology understands that breast reconstruction is part of the treatment because it affects not only the aesthetics and sexuality of women, but mainly their self-esteem.

HOW TO GET ON WITH LIFE?

Experiencing breast cancer treatment, or supporting a loved one at that moment, is not an easy task. But with proper monitoring at all stages, it is possible.

So, share quality information, maintain good habits on a daily basis, and see your doctor every year to enjoy – in good health – the moments that make life worth living.

And life always comes first.

Technical Manager: Dr. Sérgio Hércules – CRM (Regional Medical Council) 61.605