The Importance Of Screening And Self-Examination In The Fight Against Breast Cancer

What is breast cancer?

Definition and types of breast cancer

Breast cancer is a disease that develops when breast cells begin to multiply uncontrollably. It can develop in the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. There are different types of breast cancer, the most common of which are invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Breast cancer can manifest in different forms, including solid tumors, cysts, or fast-growing tumors.

Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer incidence and mortality

Every year in France, 58,000 women are affected by breast cancer, or 1 in 8 women. 12,000 cases are still recorded each year due to breast cancer, according to figures provided by the Curie Institute.

Importance of early detection

Early detection of breast cancer is essential for several reasons:

• Better chances of cure: When breast cancer is detected at an early stage, there are more treatment options and the chances of cure are higher.
• Less invasive treatments: Breast cancer detected late may require more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a mastectomy (breast removal).
• Reduced risk of spread: If breast cancer is detected before it spreads to other parts of the body, the chances of controlling the disease are much better.
• Improved quality of life: Early detection helps minimize the side effects of treatments and improve patients’ quality of life.

Breast self-examination is a self-examination technique that women can perform on their own to detect possible abnormalities in their breasts.

What is breast self-examination?

Breast self-examination is a method of self-examination that involves regularly examining your breasts for lumps, bumps, changes in size, pain, or other abnormalities. It’s a simple practice that can be done at home, in the bathroom, or the shower.

Origin

Breast self-examination became more widespread starting in the 1970s, as breast cancer awareness increased. Health organizations, women’s support groups, and healthcare professionals encouraged women to take charge of their health by practicing regular breast self-examinations. Breast self-examination has become an important tool for the early detection of breast cancer.

Why is it essential?

Breast self-examination is essential for:

• Early detection of abnormalities: By regularly examining their breasts, women are more likely to detect any abnormalities, such as lumps or masses, early on, which can be an early sign of breast cancer. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of treatment and survival.
• Breast health monitoring: Self-examination allows women to better understand their breasts and notice any unusual changes over time. This can help differentiate benign changes from signs of cancer.

Benefits of self-examination

There are two main benefits of self-examination.

Early discovery of anomalies

Early detection of abnormalities, including breast cancer, can save lives. It also helps reduce anxiety. Being able to detect abnormalities yourself is ultimately reassuring.

Women’s health empowerment

Self-examination allows women to play an active role in their health. They can be more aware of their bodies and take steps to detect any concerning abnormalities. It complements other screening methods.

The best time for self-examination

Just after menstruation

The best time to perform a breast self-examination is a few days after your period ends. At this time, your breasts are usually less tender and swollen due to hormonal fluctuations. This makes the exam more comfortable and can help detect abnormalities more easily.

Recommended frequency

It is recommended to perform a breast self-examination once a month. You can do this at the same time of the month to track any changes over time. If you do not menstruate (for example, after menopause), choose a fixed date each month to perform the self-examination. Remember that self-examination is complementary to other screening methods, such as mammography, and should not replace them. If you detect an abnormality or have any concerns, consult a healthcare professional immediately for a thorough evaluation. You can also schedule a teleconsultation appointment if you have any concerns.

Steps of self-palpation

In front of the mirror: visual observation.

1. In front of the mirror, inspect both breasts and check that there is nothing abnormal (discharge, bleeding, cracks, dimples, folds, peeling skin, etc.). If this is the case, consult a doctor.

Standing: Use fingers to feel.

2. Raise your arm and with the 3 fingers of the opposite hand, firmly feel the outer part of the breast, then move around the breast in small circles with your fingertips.

3. Look for any lumps or abnormal hardness under the skin. Don’t forget the area between the breast and the armpit; it’s important.

4. Gently squeeze the nipple and check that there is no discharge. If there is, consult a doctor immediately.

In the lying position, thorough palpation

In a lying position, thorough breast palpation allows for a deeper exploration of the breast tissue. By using light to moderate pressure, you can feel deeper tissues and detect any lumps or abnormalities that might not be as easily detected in a standing position. This method complements the breast examination by providing a different perspective and allowing for a thorough exploration of the breast tissue for early detection of potential problems.

What to look for

Nodules or masses

Look for lumps or nodules that may be present in the breast tissue. These lumps may be harder or firmer than the rest of the breast.

Changes in shape or size

Pay attention to any changes in the shape or size of your breasts. This includes any flattening, deformation, or noticeable change in the symmetry between the breasts.

Nipple discharge

Check for abnormal nipple discharge, such as bloody, milky, or clear fluid, by applying gentle pressure to the nipple.

Other irregularities

Be alert for any other irregularities, such as changes in skin texture, redness, itching, persistent pain, ulcers, or unusual wrinkling of the skin.

Importance of not panicking

Not all lumps are cancerous

It is completely normal to feel anxious or worried when discovering an abnormality, but it is essential to keep in mind that not all breast lumps or abnormalities are necessarily cancerous. Many of them are benign.

Reassuring statistics

It is comforting to note that many breast abnormalities turn out to be benign. Statistics show that the majority of breast lumps are not related to breast cancer.

Medical consultation

If you find an abnormality, the next important step is to consult a healthcare professional. This could be your family doctor, a gynecologist, or a breast specialist.

When to see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor as soon as possible after discovering an abnormality.

Waiting for results and next steps

After testing, you’ll have to wait for the results. This can be a stressful time, but it’s important to stay calm and not jump to conclusions. If an abnormality is confirmed as cancerous, your doctor will develop a treatment plan tailored to your situation, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other interventions. Early treatment offers the best chance of recovery.

Breast self-examination is a breast cancer screening method that women can perform on their own. However, it should not be considered a stand-alone screening method, but rather as a complement to other screening methods.

Mammography

What is it, and how often should it be performed?

A mammogram is a special X-ray of the breast. It is performed by a healthcare professional.

Guidelines vary from country to country, but generally, women are encouraged to have screening mammograms every two years starting at age 50. Women at high risk or with a family history of breast cancer may need to start earlier.

Advantages and disadvantages

Mammography has many advantages since it allows you to:

• Detect abnormalities and tumors that cannot be palpated by hand.
• Establish a reference database to facilitate monitoring.

Mammography also has some disadvantages, such as:

• Extremely low risks of radiation.
• A low risk of false positives.

Breast ultrasound

When it is recommended

Breast ultrasound is often used as an adjunct to mammography when abnormalities are detected or for women with dense breasts.

Advantages and disadvantages

The benefits of ultrasound are numerous:

• It is a non-invasive, radiation-free method.
• It can help differentiate solid masses from cysts.
• It is useful for those with a fuller chest.

The major disadvantage is that ultrasound is less effective than mammography at detecting small tumors.

Myths and Facts About Self-Passage

Misconceptions

“Self-palpation is not effective.”

Self-examination can be effective for early detection, but it does not replace other, more advanced screening methods such as mammography.

“If I do a self-examination, I don’t need a mammogram.”

Self-examination is an important adjunct, but mammograms remain essential for detecting small abnormalities that are not palpable.

Importance of education

Role of education in demystification

Education plays a crucial role in demystifying the self-examination method and understanding its complementary role compared to other screening methods. Women must be informed of the benefits and limitations of self-examination to make informed decisions about their breast health.

Importance of combining multiple screening methods

Combining multiple screening methods, including self-examination, mammography, and other tests recommended by healthcare professionals, is essential to ensure early detection and effective management of breast problems. Each method has its usefulness and complements the others to provide better insurance against breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.

Limitations of self-palpation

Abnormalities not detected by palpation

Breast self-examination may not detect all abnormalities, especially those located deep within the breast tissue. Some abnormalities, especially small tumors, may not be palpable.

Risk of false positives

During self-examination, women may feel areas that appear abnormal, but are normal variations in breast tissue. This can lead to unnecessary concern and additional medical visits.

Importance of complementarity with other methods

Self-examination does not replace mammograms or ultrasounds.

While self-examination is a valuable tool, it is not a substitute for more advanced screening methods, such as mammography and breast ultrasound. These methods can detect smaller and deeper abnormalities in breast tissue, which self-examination cannot always accomplish.

Integration into a comprehensive screening regimen

For effective early detection of breast cancer and other breast problems, it is essential to integrate breast self-examination into a comprehensive screening regimen. This means that women should regularly perform self-examination while following their healthcare provider’s screening recommendations, which may include regular mammograms and other screenings based on their age and family history. The complementarity of these methods allows for a more comprehensive and accurate approach to screening for breast problems.

Breast texture

Dense breasts contain more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue. This density can make self-examination more difficult because abnormalities may be masked by the density of the tissue. Lumps or lumps may be less noticeable to the touch.

Breasts containing a greater proportion of fatty tissue are generally softer and easier to examine. Abnormalities can be more easily detected during self-examination because the fatty tissue offers less resistance.

Hormonal changes and their impact

Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life, particularly related to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can impact breast texture and therefore palpation.

Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause

During the menstrual cycle, breasts may become more tender and swollen due to hormonal changes. This can make it more difficult to detect abnormalities, as the breasts may be more painful and tender to palpation.

How can these conditions change the sensation on palpation

During pregnancy, breasts undergo significant changes in response to hormones. They can become larger and firmer. Pregnant women should be aware of these changes and familiarize themselves with the normal feel of their breasts to better detect abnormalities.

In conclusion:

Early detection of breast problems is essential for effective treatment outcomes. Self-examination, when performed regularly and combined with other screening methods, plays a key role in this effort. Education about self-examination, debunking myths, and understanding its importance as part of overall screening are crucial elements for women’s health. Ultimately, vigilance, knowledge of one’s own body, and regular consultation with a healthcare professional are the keys to optimal breast health.