Treatment of malignant tumor of the sternum in women. How to Tell If You Have Breast Cancer - wikiHow

If you find a lump in your breast, do not rush to panic. Your concern is understandable, but remember that most breast lumps are benign. However, if you have any doubts, it is very important to immediately make an appointment with a doctor and have your breasts examined (if the formation turns out to be malignant, early detection of the disease and timely treatment will contribute to recovery). It is important to know how to recognize a tumor in the breast in order to prevent health problems.

Steps

Self-examination for unusual breast lumps

Feel your breasts yourself every month to check for lumps. Women discover most tumors themselves, often by accident (women report 40% of cancerous tumors to doctors themselves during an examination).

Make an appointment with your doctor if you find new lumps (usually the size of a pea) or lumps in your breast tissue.

• If there are formations, do not panic: out of 10 lumps, 8 formations turn out to be benign. Typically, benign formations are cysts, fibroadenomas, or simply natural nodules.
• Formations may appear for some time and disappear. Most often this is associated with the menstrual cycle. These lumps are called physiological breast lumps, and they appear and go away every month in accordance with the menstrual cycle.
• To distinguish physiological lumps associated with a cycle from suspicious lumps, pay attention to whether the lump increases and decreases later. Also consider if this happens every month. If the mass behaves differently or continues to grow, it is best to see a doctor.

1. You should feel your breasts yourself a week before the start of menstruation, since at this time, due to hormones, physiological changes will be minimal. If you've gone through menopause or have irregular periods, you should feel your breasts on the same day every month to help track changes. Most women have lumps in their breast tissue (this is normal - this is how breasts are built), but if they change (or grow), there is cause for concern. Compare the two mammary glands. If both feel the same to the touch, there is no need to worry, but if there is a mass on one side that is not on the other side, you should see a doctor.

   Be aware of other symptoms as well. They may or may not appear in the presence of compactions. If they appear, this can be considered a cause for concern, in which case you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

   • Look for bloody or purulent discharge from the nipples.
   • Look for redness or a pink rash around the nipples.
   • Pay attention to changes in the nipples, especially if they are indented.
   • Assess the condition of the skin on the chest. If it becomes thick, flaky, dry, red or pink, or dimpled, see your doctor.

   Doctor's help

   1. Consult a doctor if you are not sure about the benign quality of the formation. It's always better to get confirmation that everything is fine, or get checked and tested as soon as possible if the doctor thinks there's nothing to worry about.

      Schedule a mammogram. Get this test annually or as directed by your doctor. This procedure uses an X-ray to determine if there are abnormal growths in the breast.

      Get a breast ultrasound if your doctor orders it. Ultrasound provides another way to assess the condition of the breast. An ultrasound shows dense formations and cysts (cysts are usually filled with fluid, and there is no need to worry about them, since they do not contain cancer cells).

      If all tests cannot rule out cancer, ask your doctor to order a biopsy. In this test, a sample of lump tissue is examined under a microscope, which provides accurate information about whether the lump is malignant (cancerous).

      Follow your doctor's recommendations. Often, in cases where lumps turn out to be benign, doctors will ask you to continue to monitor them and seek advice if anything changes or grows. Lumps usually don't change, but it's better to be on the safe side and continue to monitor breast lumps and lumps to see if they change over time. If this happens, you need to see a doctor.

   • There are many reasons for the appearance of benign formations in the breast. They do not lead to the development of cancer. Most breast lumps do not require treatment (however, the best way to find out is by getting tested).
   • Remember that the appearance of breast lumps is influenced by many factors. These include the woman’s age, her menstrual cycle, hormonal levels, and medications. That is why it is very important to feel your breasts yourself at the same time every month, preferably a week before the start of menstruation. This will rule out other factors that may be causing breast lumps (usually lumps caused by the menstrual cycle are called physiological lumps).
   • Breast cancer is rare in young women, so doctors usually prefer to monitor the growths in such women for some time. However, it's always better to be on the safe side and see a doctor if you're concerned. At the very least, you will be able to sleep peacefully at night knowing that you have undergone all the tests and examination by the doctor.

A malignant tumor of the mammary glands is a disease that consists of the formation of malignant tumors, the growth of which occurs quite rapidly. This disease is one of the most common and dangerous, because deaths are common. Women over 45 years of age are most at risk.

How to determine breast cancer is a question that interests many women. At the moment, certain signs are known by which it is possible to independently identify cancerous formations in the breast. If in doubt, it is important to seek medical help immediately. A breast specialist deals with issues of cancer in women.

Reasons for the development of the disease

An oncological disease that affects the mammary gland of women can develop as a result of the following factors and causes:

Each factor poses a particular danger, however, more attention is paid to the age of women. The older she is, the more likely it is that cancer will manifest itself.

What you need to pay attention to

How to recognize breast cancer at home? A question that doctors hear almost every day. Having an idea of ​​the first signs of the disease, it will not be at all difficult to detect a cancerous formation in the gland while at home. You need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

In order to determine that a tumor has formed, an examination at home should be carried out in a bright room in front of a mirror. Only in a standing position will it be possible to carefully examine the breasts and notice any nonspecific changes in its structure.

In order to find out about the presence of a tumor, you will also need to take into account the following information: the tumor can be located anywhere in the gland, and the lesion can spread to both breasts at the same time. If a tumor is located in one mammary gland, then the chance of metastasis in the second increases significantly. When examined at home, you may feel a lump, the consistency of which will be very similar to dough.

In most cases, a cancerous tumor is round in shape, although its structure may be heterogeneous.

There are cases when the formation reached incredibly large sizes, which significantly aggravated the treatment process.

In medical conditions, it is possible to diagnose cancer in women through the following procedures:

Based on the research, specialists determine the causes and type of tumor, after which measures are taken regarding further treatment of the disease.

How does the disease develop?

In order to diagnose such a pathology in a timely manner, it is important to understand how the disease manifests itself and develops. Experts point out that cancer in women can develop in 5 stages, which have their own characteristics:

Stage 0. The tumor is localized in one place and does not grow into neighboring tissues. It is believed that at this stage the disease can be effectively treated.

Stage 1. During this period, the formation is transformed from benign to malignant. But damage to the lymph nodes and neighboring tissues has not yet occurred.

Stage 2. The tumor begins to increase in diameter and begins to affect the lymph nodes.

Stage 3. At this stage, not only the breast tissue is affected, but also the lymph nodes of the chest. Very often, the symptoms of stage 3 resemble the development of mastitis. However, these diseases should not be confused under any circumstances.

Stage 4. Spread of metastases throughout internal organs. First of all, damage occurs to the liver, lymph nodes and bones. This stage is characterized by pronounced symptoms, which manifest themselves in a sharp deterioration in health and the presence of severe pain. Treatment at this stage is the most difficult and does not always achieve the desired effect.

This information will help a woman know how to identify breast cancer. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the warning signs of the disease, but also to the signals that your body sends. If you experience unusual symptoms or a sharp deterioration in your health, you will need to seek help from a specialist.

prozhelezu.ru

Breast cancer - symptoms

Descriptions of the symptoms of breast cancer were found in ancient treatises. For thousands of years, until 1700, there was no information about the causes and methods of treating this terrible disease. In recent years, medicine has achieved very good results in the treatment of breast cancer, the main factors influencing the development of the disease have been established, and equipment for diagnosing breast cancer has also been improved, thanks to which the most effective course of treatment is prescribed. When symptoms of breast cancer appear, women have an increasing chance of curing the disease at various stages.

Causes of the disease

The causes of breast cancer may be due to genetic predisposition. That is, if a disease occurs in different generations in a family, the risk of getting sick increases.

Age also affects the occurrence of breast cancer, but only if one neglects one’s health for a long time (advanced chronic diseases, poor diet for many years). So you need to take care of yourself, your loved one, all the time, and not just when symptoms of breast cancer or another disease appear.

Research shows that abortion, late first birth, and refusal to breastfeed can also cause breast cancer.

If you have identified symptoms of breast cancer, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Consult your doctor and get examined. Perhaps the terrible diagnosis will not be confirmed, since some diseases may be identical to the first signs of breast cancer.

How to independently identify breast cancer?

Do regular self-examinations to help identify signs of breast cancer or conditions that may lead to breast cancer. Every month, 6-10 days after menstruation, examine the condition of your breasts, first with your hands down, then with your hands raised behind your head. Next, lie on your back, placing a cushion under your shoulder blades, and consistently feel your chest and armpit in a circular motion. Repeat the examination while standing. Symptoms of breast cancer may include lumps, discharge from the nipples, redness or changes in the skin (inflammation, peeling, changes in shape - sagging, sinking). The mammary glands should be at the same level. There should be no rash, changes in color or shape on the nipples. Timely diagnosis will help avoid many complications in the treatment of breast cancer.

How is breast cancer diagnosed clinically?

The following examination methods are available: palpation, x-ray, morphological and ultrasound methods. Together, they provide complete information that will help to correctly prescribe a course of treatment for breast cancer. If the diagnosis is not confirmed, be sure to establish the cause of the symptoms that are bothering you.

Breast cancer treatment

There are several methods of treating breast cancer, which are prescribed depending on the stage, type of tumor, and metastasis.

Lumpectomy is the removal of abnormal cells and tissue from small tumors.

Mastectomy – removal of the breast.

Hormonal therapy – prevents the formation of cancer cells after surgical treatment.

Radiation therapy is radiation therapy, also prescribed after surgery, to destroy remaining cancer cells.

Most often, in order to achieve the best effect and prevent damage to other organs, combination treatment for breast cancer is prescribed.

Disease prevention

Statistics show that breast cancer is most common in industrialized countries. The reason lies not only in the environment, but also in a change in lifestyle. Therefore, for all women from 13 to 90 years of age, breast cancer prevention plays an important role.

1. First of all, you need to pay close attention to your diet - your diet must include fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid carcinogenic foods - fatty, fried foods, foods containing dyes and other chemical additives.
2. You should not wear underwear that puts too much pressure on your chest and interferes with blood circulation.
3. Don't abuse alcohol.
4. If you are often stressed, then do not neglect relaxing gymnastics. Normalized loads should be combined with proper rest, both for the body and the psyche.
5. Do not delay treatment of diseases associated with the female genital organs.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Be attentive to your health, take care of yourself, and never lose hope. Progress does not stand still; technologies are improving every year. Medicine is also developing, offering new treatment methods and saving more and more lives.

Related articles:

womanadvice.ru

How to identify breast cancer

There is not a single woman on the planet who does not worry to one degree or another about the condition of her breasts. Breast cancer is a fairly common cancer, dangerous but curable. Timely diagnosis of the breast can help avoid severe forms of cancer, which is not always possible. It’s good when you know the main warning symptoms by sight, then you have a chance to see a doctor faster than the disease begins to progress.

If there is pain in the mammary gland or discomfort not associated with pregnancy, this should alert the female half first and foremost.

The breasts have changed their usual shape, become swollen, shrunk, and become asymmetrical - these symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor in the breast.

The delicate skin of the mammary gland has become somewhat wrinkled and began to resemble an orange peel - this symptomatology is a good reason for carrying out diagnostic measures on the condition of the breast.

Pronounced redness of the mammary gland, especially in the form of convex or tongue-shaped irregularities, hyperemia plus high body temperature are dangerous signs of a malignant breast tumor in a particularly acute form.

Bloody discharge from the papilla appeared, its shape changed, it became retracted, swollen or thickened, crusts, scales, and erosions formed on it - a signal for decisive action in the direction of a medical institution.

The lymph nodes in the armpit were greatly enlarged; infectious lymphadenitis was previously diagnosed - this could be a sign of a latent (accult) form of breast cancer.

The skin over the mammary gland has acquired an uneven surface, resembling a shell, the breast has decreased in size - important symptoms that may indicate the presence of oncology.

If you find at least one of the above symptoms, be reasonable and urgently go for examination to a mammologist. Modern medicine is quite successful in combating such serious cancer as breast cancer.

sovetclub.ru

Breast cancer: symptoms and signs in women. How to identify and how does breast cancer manifest?

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the development of malignant tumors in the glandular tissues of the female (or in extremely rare cases male) breast.

What symptoms, signs or manifestations should alarm women, indicating that it is time to sound the alarm?

How to identify the disease in its early stages? We will talk about this and much more regarding breast cancer and its connection with mastopathy in today’s publication.

It must be said that throughout the world, breast cancer in young or older women is considered the most common form of cancer.

This form of cancer affects one in every thirteen to one in nine women, ages thirteen to ninety.

Moreover, breast cancer, which affects even very young women, is considered the second most common disease after cancer that develops in the human lungs.

And since the structure of the breast of women and men is absolutely identical, a malignant breast tumor, in some cases, can develop in a man.

Although, cases of this particular type of cancer affecting men today account for slightly less than one percent of the total number of cancer cases.

A fairly sharp increase in the total number of cases of malignant breast tumors in women is associated with the lifestyle of the entire population that has changed over the past decades.

In particular, we are talking about the fact that in modern families it has become customary to give birth to significantly fewer children than it was before, that today the period of full breastfeeding has been significantly reduced, and so on.

As a result, many women are faced with such primary diseases as lactostasis, mastitis, fibrocystic disease (mastopathy), etc. But it is these ailments that are considered responsible for the fact that after a certain period of time, cancer can develop in 7-10% of cases breast disease.

In many ways, the increase in the number of cancer patients (including women with malignant breast tumors), noticeable in recent years in most developed countries of the world, is associated with an increase in the population of older people.

But the risk of developing such a pathology directly depends on the age of the patients. This dependence is shown in the table below.

And lastly, one cannot help but notice that breast cancer is considered a multifactorial disease, the occurrence and development of which is directly associated with modifications of the cellular genome, which can usually occur under the influence of both purely external causes and under the influence of hormones (or other internal factors).

The insidiousness of oncological diseases and, in particular, of such an ailment as breast cancer is that in the very early stages this disease is most often completely asymptomatic.

At the same time, both women’s breasts remain symmetrical, the affected area looks completely natural, and the disease does not cause the slightest pain or discomfort in these pores. It is incredibly difficult to detect a disease at this stage, especially if you do not pay due attention to your body (its health).

However, many patients can determine (or rather suspect) the development of a malignant neoplasm in the breast before the most dangerous signs and painful symptoms of the problem appear.

Often, women can identify the disease during a self-examination of the breast, finding a small lump or lump in the thickness of its tissue. Sometimes the disease is discovered during routine examinations by a gynecologist, during mammography or ultrasound examination of the breast.

Often, the first signs or symptoms of a serious disease can be represented by the appearance of lumps directly in the armpit, above the collarbone, etc. that do not disappear during the menstrual cycle. Any woman should also be alert to the following symptoms:

• The appearance of clear or bloody discharge from the breast, which is in no way related to pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Sudden development of nipple retraction.
• Any change in the color or texture of the skin on a woman's breasts. It is very important to periodically examine, assessing how your breasts look, and promptly pay attention to any changes in them (in shape, color, density).

What do doctors consider to be the most obvious warning signs?

In order to recognize the problem in a timely manner, it is necessary to know exactly how the disease most often manifests itself and what its most frequently noticed signs are.

Breast cancer is very common in women and its incidence is constantly increasing. This is partly due to improved detection of the disease, but it should be noted that the disease itself has begun to occur more often (approximately 60-70 people per 100,000 women per year). The incidence of morbidity among patients of working age is increasing.

Statistics say that this disease is one of the most common causes of female mortality. Among the regions where there is a fairly high incidence are Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Chechen Republic and the Kaliningrad region.

It is worth noting the successes of healthcare in the fight against breast cancer. In addition to improving the detection of the disease, based on mass preventive studies using mammography, there is a decrease in mortality in the first 12 months after confirmation of the diagnosis. That is, the disease is now detected at earlier stages, it is successfully treated, and the life expectancy of patients with this diagnosis is increasing.

Causes and conditions of development

The direct cause of the disease has not been reliably established, but breast cancer is most likely associated with mutations in certain genes that are inherited. That is, the risk of getting sick increases significantly if two close relatives have breast cancer, as well as ovarian cancer.

More often, pathology occurs in patients with the following concomitant conditions:

• irregularity, abnormal duration of the menstrual cycle, infertility, absence of childbirth, breastfeeding, onset of menstruation before the age of 12 years, at the age of over 60;
• inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries;
• endometrial hyperplasia (for example);
• obesity, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis;
• liver disease and hypothyroidism;
• the patient has a brain tumor, sarcoma, lung cancer, larynx, leukemia, carcinoma of the adrenal cortex, intestines and other tumors associated with syndromes (for example, Bloom's disease).

To reduce the likelihood of illness, you should avoid certain external factors, for example:

• influence of ionizing radiation;
• smoking;
• chemical carcinogens, preservatives;
• a high-calorie diet containing too much animal fat and fried foods.

The role of hormonal imbalance in the female body is high. Diseases of the ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary systems increase the possibility of breast cancer.

Finally, the role of genetic disorders has been proven. They can be of two types:

• genetic mutation in genes that are responsible for cell growth and reproduction; when they change, cells begin to divide uncontrollably;
• induction of cell proliferation, that is, intensification of their division in the formed node.

Pathology is also registered in men; their ratio to sick women is 1:100. Their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment principles are the same as for female patients, adjusted for gender characteristics of hormonal levels and anatomical structure.

Preventive actions

Prevention of breast cancer is necessary both in healthy women and in those who have a unilateral tumor, to prevent metastasis and spread to the second breast.

Currently, according to foreign and latest domestic recommendations, bilateral breast cancer followed by prosthetics is indicated for the prevention of breast cancer in healthy women. Such an intervention reduces the likelihood of a tumor appearing almost to zero.

However, before surgery for preventive purposes, it is recommended to consult a geneticist, who will confirm the increased risk of developing the disease, given the presence of mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in the woman.

Surgical removal may be offered to patients with certain precancerous signs:

• atypical ductal hyperplasia;
• atypical lobular hyperplasia;
• lobular carcinoma in situ (unspread).

When tissue is removed directly during the intervention, an emergency histological analysis is performed. If cancer cells are detected, the scope of intervention can be expanded depending on the characteristics of the resulting pathological changes.

The same tactics (removal of a healthy gland for cancer of the second breast) are also indicated for unilateral lesions, if gene mutations are genetically confirmed or there are precancerous conditions.

It is believed that removal of the mammary glands for preventive purposes is indicated even if a woman’s risk of getting the disease is the same as the average population. However, in our country, mass mastectomy is viewed with caution as a means of preventing breast cancer.

Traditionally, three components of prevention are used to prevent breast cancer in Russia.

Primary prevention is carried out in healthy women and includes educating the population and promoting breastfeeding. It is necessary to explain the benefits of regular sexual relations with a regular partner and the timely birth of a child. A woman should avoid external risk factors - radiation, smoking, carcinogens. When planning a family with a person in whose family there have been repeated cases of this tumor in women, it is better to visit a geneticist.

Secondary prevention is aimed at diagnosing and eliminating diseases that can later cause a malignant tumor:

• endocrine disorders;
• diseases of the female reproductive system;
• liver diseases.

For secondary prevention, you should regularly undergo a medical examination with a therapist and gynecologist.

Tertiary prevention is aimed at timely detection of re-development and metastasis of the tumor in a woman who has already been treated for this disease.

Classification

Stages of breast cancer

Depending on how the tumor grows, diffuse and nodular forms of the tumor, as well as atypical cancer (). The rate is characterized by a rapidly growing cancer (the total mass of tumor cells doubles in 3 months), a tumor with an average growth rate (the mass doubles within a year) and a slowly growing tumor (the tumor doubles in size within more than a year) .

The structure of the tumor is determined by its source, therefore invasive ductal (growing from the ducts of the gland) and invasive lobular (growing from glandular cells) cancer and combinations of these forms are distinguished.

Based on their cellular structure, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and sarcoma are distinguished. Malignancy also varies depending on the type of cells.

TNM classification

The classification of this malignant neoplasm is carried out according to the TNM system. According to this classification, the stages of breast cancer are characterized by a certain combination of the qualities of the tumor node itself (T), the involvement of lymph nodes (N) and the presence of metastases (M).

• Stage 0 disease

It is characterized by an extremely small volume of damage without the participation of neighboring tissues.

• Stage 1 disease

It does not metastasize to other organs, except for the possible entry of tumor cells into the lymph nodes of the axillary group on the corresponding side. The diameter of the node does not exceed 2 cm; penetration of its cells into the surrounding healthy tissue does not occur.

• Breast cancer stage 2 (stages)

Does not form metastases, with the exception of possible involvement of the axillary lymph nodes of the corresponding side. The main difference is the characteristics of the node. It can grow up to 5 cm and even penetrate the surrounding glandular tissue.

• Breast cancer stage 3 (stages)

It does not cause metastatic damage to distant organs, but can affect axillary lymph nodes. Other groups of regional lymph nodes lying under the scapula, under the collarbone and above it, near the sternum, may also be involved. In this case, the node can be of any diameter, there is germination into the chest wall, and the skin is affected. The third stage also includes inflammatory cancer - a disease in which thickening of the skin with dense edges without a clearly defined tumor area is noted on the mammary gland.

• Breast cancer stage 4 with metastases

Characterized by the spread of tumor cells to the following organs:

- lungs;
- axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes on the opposite side;
- bones;
- the walls of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs;
- peritoneum;
- brain;
- Bone marrow;
- leather;
- adrenal glands;
- liver;
- ovaries.

The most common localization of distant lesions is bone tissue (for example, vertebrae), lungs, skin, and liver.

External signs and symptoms

Types of breast cancer (more precisely, forms):

• nodal;
• diffuse;
• atypical.

The diffuse form includes tumors that affect the entire gland. Externally, diffuse cancer manifests itself:

• swelling and swelling of the gland;
• resembles in features;
• similar to erysipelas;
• causes compaction and reduction of the gland (armored form).

Atypical forms are rarely recorded; they have features of localization and/or origin:

• nipple damage;
• tumor arising from skin appendages;
• two-way education;
• a tumor growing from several centers at once.

Suspicion of breast cancer should appear when a small, dense, painless node forms in the breast. You should pay attention to areas of skin wrinkling or nipple retraction. At the onset of the disease, enlarged axillary lymph nodes are often visible. With intraductal forms, discharge from the nipple appears - light, yellowish, sometimes mixed with blood.

The first signs of breast cancer at an early stage, listed above, as the disease progresses, are supplemented by redness of the skin, the formation of a “lemon peel” on it, enlargement of the tumor, deformation or the appearance of non-healing ulcers. In the axillary region there are conglomerates of immobile lymph nodes, and swelling of the arm develops due to stagnation of lymph in it.

Symptoms for individual types of breast cancer are characterized by their own characteristics.

• Edematous-infiltrative is accompanied by the formation of a large infiltrate - edematous compacted tissue. The gland enlarges significantly, turns red, swells, the skin becomes marbled in color, and a “lemon peel” appears.
• The mastitis-like form is manifested by enlargement and thickening of the gland. An infection occurs, causing tissue breakdown. The temperature rises.
• The erysipelas-like form, upon external examination, is similar to inflammation caused by microflora (erysipelas): bright red lesions on the surface of the gland spreading to the surface of the chest, skin ulcers are often observed.
• Armored is an advanced stage of cancer, in which the gland shrinks, changes shape, and several nodules form in it.
• Paget's cancer is identified as a special variant that primarily damages the nipple and the area around it.

Do breasts hurt with breast cancer?

The pain caused by the tumor itself does not appear at an early stage of the disease. It is associated with swelling of the gland, compression of surrounding tissues, and the formation of skin ulcers. In this case, it is constant, aching, and goes away for some time after taking conventional painkillers.

The pain can also be cyclical, repeating from month to month in women of reproductive age. In this case, they are more associated with the existing precancerous disease - mastopathy and are caused by natural fluctuations in hormone levels. If you experience pain in the mammary gland of any nature, you should consult a doctor.

The earlier the disease is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. The prognosis for stage 1 breast cancer, which can be detected with timely diagnosis, is good. 5 years after confirmation of the diagnosis, survival rate is 98%, after 10 years – from 60 to 80%. This means that almost all women who were diagnosed with the disease at an early stage achieve remission of the disease. Of course, they have to monitor their health and regularly see a doctor.

The more advanced breast cancer is, the lower the survival rate. In stage 2 of the disease, the prognosis is satisfactory, 5-year survival rate is up to 80%, after 10 years - up to 60%. At stage 3, the prognosis is worse: 10-50% and up to 30%, respectively. Stage 4 breast cancer is a deadly disease, the 5-year survival rate is only from 0 to 10%, the 10-year survival rate is from 0 to 5%.

How quickly does breast cancer develop?

The process occurs in each patient at its own speed. Without treatment, the tumor can completely destroy the mammary gland and give distant metastases within a short time - up to a year. In other patients the course is slower. Therefore, at the first signs of trouble, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist or mammologist and undergo the necessary diagnostics.

Diagnostics

Early diagnosis was traditionally based on self-examination of the mammary glands: once a week, a woman carefully felt the glands in front of a mirror, paying attention to discharge from the nipples, skin unevenness, and enlarged lymph nodes. However, in modern guidelines the effectiveness of this technique is questionable. It is believed that a doctor should determine the disease at an early stage using an annual or ultrasound examination (ultrasound).

If a breast tumor is suspected, certain diagnostic interventions must be performed before starting any treatment.

Diagnosis of breast cancer includes the following steps:

• questioning the patient and her complete external examination;
• blood analysis;
• biochemical study, including liver parameters (bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase);
• mammography on both sides, ultrasound of the glands themselves and surrounding areas, if necessary, clarifying diagnostics - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the glands;
• digital chest radiography, if more accurate diagnosis is necessary - computed tomography (CT) or MRI of the chest;
• Ultrasound of the liver, uterus, ovaries; according to indications - CT/MRI of these areas with contrast;
• if the patient has a widespread process or metastases, she is prescribed a bone examination to identify tumor foci in them: scanning and radiography of areas of radiopharmaceutical accumulation. If the stage of cancer is proven T 0-2 N 0-1, such a study is carried out if there are complaints of bone pain and an increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood; even during the patient’s initial visit, the probability of having bone micrometastases is 60%;
• biopsy of the suspected tumor with examination of the resulting tissue; with the help of a biopsy taken before the start of any treatment, a pathological diagnosis is determined - the basis of therapy; a biopsy is not performed if a mastectomy is immediately planned - such a study will be performed during it;
• determination of receptors for estrogen and progesterone, as well as HER-2/neu and Ki67 - special proteins that can be considered as tumor markers for breast cancer;
• fine needle biopsy of a lymph node if there is a suspicion that the tumor has spread there;
• fine needle biopsy of a cyst if a tumor is suspected of developing there;
• assessment of ovarian activity by determining the appropriate hormones;
• examination by a geneticist to detect a BRCA1/2 gene mutation (breast cancer test) - when breast cancer is confirmed in two or more close relatives, in women under 35 years of age, as well as in case of primary multiple cancer.

To determine the general health of a woman, she is prescribed the following tests and studies:

• verification of blood group and Rh factor;
• isolation of antibodies to Treponema pallidum (), to hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency, determination of hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg);
• coagulogram to determine blood clotting;
• Analysis of urine;
• electrocardiogram.

Breast cancer treatment

Treatment methods for the disease are varied. The number of their combinations exceeds 6000. The approach to each patient must be individual. A preoperative therapy plan is drawn up to reduce the volume of the tumor, surgical intervention is proposed, and postoperative measures are developed.

Breast cancer treatment methods:

• local (surgery, radiation);
• acting on the entire body (use of chemotherapeutic agents, hormones, immunotropic agents).

Treatment without surgery

It is carried out when the patient refuses more radical measures, her general serious condition, edematous-infiltrative form, but it will never be completely effective and can only temporarily improve the patient’s well-being. This therapy involves radiation.

Radical methods involve complete removal of the tumor and affected lymph nodes. Palliatives are designed to alleviate the patient’s condition. Symptomatic treatment relieves pain and reduces the severity of intoxication symptoms. Traditional recipes for this disease are ineffective.

Surgical intervention

Surgery for breast cancer is the basis of treatment.

The following operations can be performed:

• ordinary radical mastectomy - the entire gland, pectoral muscle, lymph nodes under the collarbone, armpit, under the scapula are removed;
• extended radical mastectomy – additionally, peri-sternal lymph nodes and thoracic vessels, through which metastasis can occur, are removed;
• superradical mastectomy – supraclavicular lymph nodes and tissue between the chest organs are additionally removed;
• modified radical mastectomy preserves the pectoral muscles and has better cosmetic results, so it is considered a more gentle operation;
• mastectomy with removal of axillary lymph nodes of only the lower group - performed in the early phase of the disease with the tumor located in the outer parts of the gland in weakened elderly patients;
• simple mastectomy is a palliative operation that involves removing only the gland; such an operation to remove a tumor is carried out in advanced forms of the disease, decaying formation, severe concomitant diseases;
• radical – removal of only a segment of the gland for a small tumor at an early stage; the mammary gland is preserved; After the intervention, an increased risk of recurrence remains, so additional radiation is performed.

Surgical treatment for metastases to regional lymph nodes must be supplemented with other methods, otherwise there is a high risk of distant metastases and relapse of the disease. Radiation is used both before and after surgery to destroy the most active tumor cells. Methods for irradiating tissue directly during surgery have been developed, which makes it possible to reduce the dose and increase the effectiveness of such therapy.

Chemotherapy

Breast cancer is a tumor prone to metastasis, so almost all patients are prescribed antitumor drugs. The use of chemotherapy significantly reduces the likelihood of relapse and death in patients. Chemotherapy drugs can reduce the stage of the disease, eliminate heavy operations or reduce their volume.

The best medications for treating breast cancer are:

• Cyclophosphamide;
• Fluorouracil;
• Methotrexate;
• Doxorubicin.

Especially in combination. Special schemes have been developed that allow choosing the best option for the patient in each case. Consecutive identical courses can be used (up to 10-12 courses of chemotherapy), and in other cases, after several courses, the drug regimen is changed.

Before chemotherapy, the tumor is tested for sensitivity to hormones. With low hormonal sensitivity, the use of polychemotherapy is recommended, since this is a factor in the unfavorable course of the disease.

Systemic therapy is sometimes not given to patients with an initial favorable prognosis - over 35 years of age, with a small tumor, sensitive to hormones and without lymph node involvement.

Today, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer pathologies, but also the most curable.

A positive prognosis is primarily justified by the severity of the external symptoms of the disease, which make it possible to diagnose it at the initial stages of development.

Breast cancer is a fibrous neoplasm of an oncological nature that replaces healthy breast tissue. This type of tumor can be localized in any part of the organ, but most often affects the outside of the gland facing the armpit.

Despite the fact that this pathology is considered a female disease, it can also affect men.

Stage 1

This stage is characterized by smoothed external symptoms or its complete absence. Since the tumor is at the first stage does not exceed 2 cm, it is rarely possible to visually determine it.

Most often, changes in the structure of the gland are observed upon palpation. But in some cases, pathology can still manifest itself as external changes in the breast. At the site of tumor origin, skin can change your shade.

Typically, a small area becomes yellowish or brown. In appearance it resembles a healing bruise. In this area, the surface of the skin begins to slightly peel off, which is associated with malnutrition of soft tissues.

When the neoplasm is located close to the surface, a noticeable slight lump-shaped seal. It has clear boundaries, along the edges of which slight redness is localized.

On palpation a small tight knot, more often with homogeneous structure. The node is motionless and has clear localization. In some cases, palpation is accompanied by pain.

Stage 2

The second stage is characterized by a more pronounced manifestation of the disease, which is explained by the growth of the tumor. At this stage of development, pathology can be determined by a change in the shade of the skin of the affected area, which becomes reddish or acquire a bluish tint.

At the same time, healthy breast tissue is characterized by pronounced pallor. On the chest, visually determined inflamed area, which is a seal with a diameter up to 5 cm The surface of the pathological growth becomes coarsened and heterogeneous.

It marks multiple nodules and pits. The skin over the seal changes its structure. Observed deepening of pores what gives the skin type of orange peel.

When you press on the inflamed area, it deforms into a small depression. Restoration of the surface does not occur immediately. When this place is taken into a fold, the formation of numerous deep wrinkles, straightening out only within a few minutes after the fold is released.

Due to tumor growth, it can change the shape of the nipple, which is insignificant lengthens or retracts. It is also noted asymmetry of the sides affected breast. In the place where the formation grows, it becomes slightly enlarged. But when you raise your hands up, at the place of increase a depression is formed.

Upon palpation it is revealed node, resembling cartilage tissue, which has fuzzy boundaries.

Stage 3

As a result of tumor growth, pronounced resizing breasts and their appearance. Most often, the affected breast decreases in diameter or shortened. But there are situations when the chest becomes much more healthy, while her central some may sink.

Also, completely the shape of the nipple changes, which retracts in breast tissue, acquiring flat shape. Its foundation expands, merging with the areola. Their shade changes to more dark.

The surface of the chest becomes heterogeneous. Under the skin there are small numerous nodules and irregularities that do not have clear boundaries. The skin becomes hyperemic.

Gradually redness covers the entire chest and extends to the armpit in the area of ​​the lymph nodes. Hyperemia has jagged edges, resembling tongues of flame.

As the tumor grows, it is observed violation of the integrity of the skin. Due to the deterioration of trophism, small wounds that do not heal well.

Their edges covered with scales or plaques. Often the pathology is accompanied by constant itching and peeling. They can be localized over the entire surface of the breast, including on the nipples and areola. The nipple, areola and surrounding skin become covered numerous deep wrinkles, which do not straighten even with tissue tension.

During palpation examination it is noted tissue heterogeneity and formation atypical nodule of round shape, with a knobby surface and completely blurred boundaries.

Stage 4

The fourth stage is characterized by tumor growth into the skin and other organs. If the growth does not affect the skin, then a deterioration in external symptoms is observed. Breasts gain almost flat shape, or excessively increases in sizes.

The skin becomes glossy due to overstretching. Can appear adhesions or stretch marks. Skin tone changes to cyanotic. At certain types, it becomes very dark, almost black.

If a tumor grows into the skin and beyond, it is completely replacement with fibrous tissue. The neoplasm has a heterogeneous nodular structure and is distinguished by a pronounced purple or bluish tint. In some areas, a process of necrosis is observed.

After operation

The only method that increases the chance of survival is surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on the stage of the disease, a partial or complete mastectomy (removal of the breast) may be used.

At partial removal, most of the mammary gland is preserved. Removal is carried out by cutting the tissue in the areola area. Wherein the nipple and skin are not affected. This operation is considered less traumatic and practically leaves no traces. The seam is located along the line of the areola and smoothes out over time, becoming invisible.

In case of extensive damage to the mammary gland, it is carried out complete removal together with the skin. During the operation, only a small part of the skin, intended for closing the wound area.

In this case, the surgeon does elliptical cut, from the inner lower edge of the chest to the center of the armpit. After breast removal, the skin is tightened and stitched with absorbable sutures.

In the first few days the seam has high edges. Its surface acquires a dark red glossy tint. As it heals, a scar is formed, which later completely smoothed out. It can only be noticed by its shade, which is slightly darker than the intact surface of the chest.

Correction

Breast correction after breast removal worries every woman who has undergone this operation. And if just a few decades ago, women had to put something in their bra to simulate the presence of breasts, today you can find a lot of products and methods that restore breasts both visually and physically.

There are several options to solve this problem:

1. Implantation. It is a complete replacement of the mammary gland with a special prosthesis and is indicated when the entire breast, including the nipple, is removed. This procedure can be performed either directly during a mastectomy or much later. Restoration is carried out in two stages. First, the breast itself is restored, and then the nipple and areola are formed.

Breast reconstruction due to replacement of removed tissues with muscles, skin or fat from the patient's body. As in the previous case, surgery can be performed both during tumor removal and after it.

To reconstruct the breast, a part of the superficial abdominal or back muscle is most often used. This technique allows you to get breasts that differ little from natural ones, but at the same time new scars form on the woman’s body at the site of tissue excision.

Expander. Wearing an expander is used if only the mammary gland and part of the skin were removed during the operation. An expander is a special device implanted under the skin, which causes it to stretch as it is worn.

Subsequently, the expander is removed, and the resulting cavity is filled with a special solution. As a rule, to achieve the effect, the expander must be used for 3 or 6 months.

Vacuum former. It is a special device, under the influence of which the skin in the area of ​​​​tumor removal is gradually stretched and a fat layer is formed under it. This method is suitable for those women who have had only part of the breast removed.

To obtain a positive result, the device is attached to the problem area and worn every day for 12 hours. It is worth noting that using this method, you can achieve only a slight breast enlargement, and the correction will be associated with pain.

2. Shapewear. Now on the shelves of specialized medical stores, you can buy ready-made underwear that simulates the presence of breasts. As a simulator, foam rubber or other substitute material is sewn into the bodice. As a rule, such underwear has standard sizes corresponding to the sizes of underwear or clothing.
3. Imitators. They are silicone attachments designed for fixation on the skin or bra. These nozzles can be purchased in standard sizes or made to order.

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In recent years, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has been rapidly increasing. It is very important to identify this disease as early as possible. Therefore, every woman needs to know what the first signs of breast cancer look like.

What are the signs that you should immediately sound the alarm?

1. The appearance of discharge from the nipples. If liquid is periodically released from them (it can be of any color: from transparent to bloody or purulent green), you need to urgently seek advice from a specialist and undergo an examination. The appearance of discharge does not depend on the phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
2. The appearance of small wounds on the nipples and skin of the chest. Further, these wounds can turn into ulcers, and the skin lesions can be quite extensive, so under no circumstances should the problem be neglected.
3. Increased size of lymph nodes. One of the first signs of cancer is swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, which may be accompanied by pain.
4. Availability of seals. Here we must say right away that lumps in the chest are not a reason to panic. Most of them ultimately turn out to be benign and can be successfully treated. They can be detected by self-examination. Therefore, every woman, regardless of age, should regularly perform a manual breast examination, which can be easily done at home without outside help. When you first visit a mammologist, you should ask him to show you how to properly examine your breasts.
5. Change in color and appearance of breast skin. With cancer, the color of the skin over the tumor site may become pinkish or even purple. Peeling or swelling of the skin may occur. If, when raising your arms above your head, depressions or the so-called “orange peel”, wrinkles and folds become noticeable on the skin of your chest, you should immediately consult a doctor.
6. Changes in the shape of the breast or nipples. When affected by breast cancer, the shape of the breast may change: it becomes flattened or, conversely, elongated. An alarming signal will also be that the nipples have become sunken. The more advanced the disease, the more the nipples will retract.
7. The appearance of pain in the chest. They do not occur in all women who are diagnosed with cancer, but the likelihood of their occurrence is still high. However, they should not be confused with the usual soreness and swelling of the breasts during a certain phase of the menstrual cycle.
8. Irritation or sudden increase in sensitivity of the nipples, pain or even swelling.

What to do if you suspect breast cancer

If there is at least one symptom, you should immediately consult a doctor. There is no need to panic and, for fear of hearing an unfavorable diagnosis, put off a visit to the mammologist. There are many means of diagnosing cancer at an early stage.

All of them are painless and available to all women. Official statistics show that at least 70% of women who are diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer every year undergo treatment and are completely cured of the dangerous disease. The main thing is to detect and recognize the disease in time.

Stages of the disease

Stage 0

At this stage of the disease, the presence of pathological cells is detected in the walls of the gland ducts. This is a non-invasive form of cancer because the cancer cells do not spread beyond the walls and do not penetrate into healthy tissue. Sometimes stage 0 is not considered an oncological process. However, there is a high probability that under the influence of unfavorable conditions or in the absence of proper treatment, the damaged cells will continue to change and cause the growth of a malignant tumor. The stage is asymptomatic.

Stage 1

It is considered the beginning of invasive oncology. Cancer cells form a small tumor, the size of which does not exceed two cm in diameter. It remains within the organ. When you palpate the gland, you can detect a small, painless lump. It should be taken into account that cancer is most successfully treated at this stage. Complete recovery occurs without excision of the mammary gland. Consequently, a woman retains not only her breasts, but also the possibility of natural feeding.

Stage 2

At this stage, oncology develops in four directions:

• The size of the tumor may remain the same, but cancer cells are detected in the lymph nodes in the armpit.
• A malignant neoplasm can grow up to 5 cm; single cancer cells are not detected in the axillary lymph nodes. The diameter of the formation is 2-5 cm, the appearance of cancer cells in the lymph nodes located in the axillary region is noted.
• There are no single cancer cells in the lymph nodes, the diameter of the tumor becomes more than 5 cm.
• Feeling the breast can help detect a small lump. There are usually no other symptoms.

Stages 0, 1 and 2 of breast cancer are considered early forms of the process.

In the early stages, it is possible to use gentle treatment methods to preserve the natural shape of the breast and the functionality of the mammary glands.

If the disease develops into a late stage, complete excision of the gland will be required. There is no need to give in to despair, since modern medicine has methods of surgical treatment with simultaneous breast surgery. If there are no contraindications, plastic surgery is performed immediately after tissue excision.

Late stages of the disease

As the process progresses, symptoms become more pronounced.

Stage 3

This form belongs to the category of locally common oncology and is divided into 3 types.

• Stage III A is diagnosed if there is a tumor with a diameter of no more than 5 cm. Metastases continue to spread to the lymph nodes. Damage to the retrosternal lymph nodes is possible. As the size of the tumor increases, cancer cells affect adherent or separately located lymph nodes.
• Stage III B is defined as a tumor of any size growing into the skin of the gland or into the chest area. Pronounced signs of breast cancer in this case are the appearance of tissue swelling and small nodules on the surface of the skin. Sometimes the mammary gland acquires a reddish tint and severe swelling as a result of blockage of the lymphatic vessels.
• Stage III C means the presence of a tumor of any size growing into surrounding tissue. Lymph nodes in the axillary, retrosternal, as well as in the subclavian or supraclavicular region may be affected.

Stage 4

Metastases grow into other internal organs. This degree is called metastatic cancer. Sometimes the process is irreversible. Then the treatment is designed to reduce the symptoms of the disease, but cannot eliminate its cause.

Cancer is an insidious disease that can recur even after complete recovery, as it seemed. Sometimes relapse occurs due to single cancer cells not destroyed by treatment, or metastases located in hard-to-reach places. Recurrence of cancer in the mammary gland is not necessary. Recurrence may affect the lungs, bones, brain or liver.

Causes of breast cancer

Despite the high level of modern medicine, doctors cannot reliably establish what exactly causes the development of a malignant breast tumor. However, a number of prerequisites have been precisely established that significantly increase the likelihood of breast cancer.

Bad habits

Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages have the most negative impact on a person. This includes causing breast cancer. So try to get rid of these bad habits.

Chest injury

The mammary gland is a very delicate substance. And injury can lead to the development of malignancy. Therefore, breasts must be protected.

Abortion

Doctors trace a clear connection between a woman's abortions and the subsequent development of breast cancer. The more abortions there are, the higher this risk. Especially if the very first pregnancy was artificially terminated.

Refusal to breastfeed

Women who breastfeed their babies are less likely to develop breast cancer. And the longer breastfeeding continues, the lower this risk.

Deodorants – antiperspirants

Doctors have another hypothesis suggesting that the development of malignant tumors of the mammary glands can develop as a consequence of the systematic use of deodorants and antiperspirants.

Mastopathy

If a woman suffers from mastopathy, she should be especially attentive to her health. With this disease, small nodules begin to form in the mammary gland, reaching their maximum size before menstruation. However, they may disappear on their own immediately after menstruation. And it is these cells that form nodules that can transform into malignant ones. Therefore, treatment of mastopathy is necessary. You shouldn’t hope for “maybe” and wait for everything to go away on its own. Otherwise, there is a high risk that you will need another treatment - treatment for such an insidious disease as breast cancer.

Breast self-examination

There are simple self-examination techniques that every woman should know.

First stage of examination

With your hands down, stand in front of the mirror and completely relax. Look carefully for changes in breast size or shape. They are visible to the naked eye even in the earliest stages of the disease - it is impossible to miss them.

Then raise your arms above your head and look for any changes in the contours of your breasts, any bulges or indentations, or wrinkled areas of the skin. Check for nipple discharge. To do this, gently squeeze them. Beware of sudden and rough movements to avoid injury to the nipples.

Second stage of verification

When you have examined the mammary glands, proceed to the next stage - a manual examination. Raising your hands up one at a time, carefully feel the mammary glands with your fingers. They must have a homogeneous structure and no compactions should be visible. Pay attention to painful sensations - normally there should not be any.

Third stage of verification

For some reason, this stage often turns out to be undeservedly forgotten - and in vain. Raising her hands, the woman should carefully examine the armpits and mammary glands from the edge to the nipple. There should be no seals. And palpation should be painless.

Diagnosis of the disease

Even if you know all the symptoms of breast cancer, you should not diagnose the disease yourself - consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will carefully listen to the woman’s complaints, learn about a family predisposition to cancer, and conduct a manual examination of the mammary glands and lymph nodes. If necessary, other examination methods will be prescribed.

Mammography

This X-ray examination allows you to detect breast cancer one and a half to two years before the woman herself or even her doctor can do it. It is safe to say that mammography is the most reliable way for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

The principle of diagnosing a disease is simple and 100% error-free. Almost all malignant breast tumors have a large accumulation of calcium salts. They are formed as a result of the process of cell breakdown. In the image, these clusters are visible as white lines.

However, mammography can be prescribed not only to diagnose breast cancer, but also to clarify the stage of the disease. Using X-ray examination, the size of the tumor is determined. By the way, the malignancy of a tumor is also easy to determine using mammography.

Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands

An ultrasound examination will allow the doctor to determine the structure of the tumor in the breast and the size of the tumor.

Biopsy

If necessary, after all the studies, the doctor prescribes a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a small area of ​​the tumor for subsequent laboratory testing. The cells themselves are studied - whether they are malignant or benign, and where they come from - from the lobes of the mammary gland or the milk ducts. It is also determined whether there is invasion into neighboring tissues.

Using a laboratory test, it is possible to determine whether the neoplasm cells are sensitive to the influence of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. If sensitivity is confirmed, the doctor may decide to prescribe hormonal therapy.

Breast cancer treatment methods

Once a doctor diagnoses breast cancer, he will select treatment for the woman. There are many ways to beat cancer. Which treatment option you choose depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer cells, and other factors. However, all treatments can be divided into three main types.

Surgery

Surgery is most often used to treat breast cancer. Although surgery is almost always combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Surgical intervention also varies. The most gentle is the organ-preserving method, when only the part of the mammary gland affected by the tumor is removed. And in advanced stages of the disease, a mastectomy is performed - complete removal of the breast cancer tumor.

If doctors perform a complete removal of the mammary gland, then, as a rule, the lymph nodes in the armpits are also removed. After all, these nodes in most cases also turn out to be affected by a malignant tumor. Please note that removal of lymph nodes almost always leads to the development of severe swelling of the arm. In order to eliminate this phenomenon, it is necessary to perform special exercises that relieve swelling and restore hand mobility.

Many women panic when they learn about the need to remove the mammary gland. And this is quite understandable, because the aesthetic side suffers greatly. Today this deficiency can be easily corrected - doctors perform reconstructive surgery. For example, the introduction of silicone implants.

Radiation therapy

In most cases, after surgical removal of a malignant tumor, doctors prescribe a course of radiation therapy to the woman. During which X-ray irradiation of tissue areas and lymph nodes near which the malignant tumor was located is performed. This measure is necessary in order to destroy the remains of cancer cells that could remain there after the operation.

Radiation therapy is a serious burden on a woman’s already weakened body. Side effects such as swelling of the mammary glands, redness and flaking of the skin, and the appearance of blisters at the site of irradiation often occur. In rare cases, symptoms of general malaise may appear - cough, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting.

Chemotherapy

You cannot do without chemotherapy - medications that neutralize the negative effects of hormones. They should only be prescribed by a doctor - so we will not give the names of the drugs. Self-treatment can lead to irreversible consequences.

Therapy is carried out using cytostatics - antitumor pharmacological drugs that negatively affect cancer cells. If a woman has breast cancer, it will be impossible to do without chemotherapy.

Doctors use two types of chemotherapy:

Adjuvant chemotherapy

This additional drug therapy is prescribed for operable breast cancer. Sometimes it can be prescribed both before and after surgery.

Curative chemotherapy

This type is prescribed at an advanced stage of breast cancer, when metastases begin to spread far beyond the breast. The main goal of such chemotherapy is to reduce the size of the tumor. This therapy is prescribed to reduce the size of the tumor so that it can be surgically removed.

It is very difficult to predict the effectiveness of such treatment; in some cases it is not effective enough. But often such treatment allows, if not completely defeating cancer, then significantly improving the quality of life of the sick person.

This treatment has many side effects. A sick person experiences damage to blood cells, severe nausea and vomiting, hair loss, and weakness. This happens due to the fact that drugs, in addition to malignant cells, also affect healthy cells of the body.

In conclusion, I would like to once again remind women of the need to be attentive to themselves. Regularly perform breast self-examination and visit a mammologist.

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