Breast cancer
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Since no risk factor has yet been identified for this disease that explains its cause with satisfactory reliability (as is the case for lung cancer, for example), early diagnosis and successful treatment of this disease are crucial. Early diagnosis is possible thanks to current treatment procedures, when most cases of breast cancer detected at an early stage have a high chance of complete cure.
When to pay attention?
If something unusual happens to your breasts, you should contact your doctor. Cases when you should pay more attention: new palpable mass on the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, inverted nipple, breast redness without temperature, indentation in the breast skin, changing breast skin or change in the nipple bed and areola covered with scales.
Incidence of breast cancer in the Czech Republic
Breast cancer is one of the most serious epidemiological problems in the Czech Republic. You can find more detailed information about the incidence of breast cancer on the page Epidemiology and programme data and results.
Prevention and risks of breast cancer
Breast cancer can be largely prevented by so-called primary and secondary prevention. Several different factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, and the risk of developing breast cancer also depends on individual conditions. Risk factors for developing breast cancer include:
Age - the risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, reaching its maximum around the age of 65
Hormones - the level of female sex hormones in women fluctuates, which can lead to the development of breast cancer
Family burden - hereditary influences are also important for the development of breast cancer, with a higher risk if breast cancer occurs in a first-degree relative, i.e. a mother or sister.
Lifestyle - lifestyle can influence the risk of the disease. The higher risk is associated with obesity and lack of exercise, high calorie intake and low fiber intake. Alcohol consumption, excessive consumption of animal fats, red meat and sausages (often fried and baked) are also significant risk factors.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
If you have any doubts, visit or have a call to one of the accredited mammography screening centers. After describing the problem and making an appointment for an examination, one of the imaging methods is usually performed - mammography, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, and based on the results of the examination, the doctor decides on the next step.
How is breast cancer treated?
Breast cancer is a curable disease in the vast majority of cases if detected early. Therefore, there is no need to despair, no matter how unpleasant the news of cancer is. In particular, the early stages of the disease can be treated very well and the patient has great hope for a long and quality life.
Breast cancer is treated with surgery, anti-cancer chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or radiation therapy (radiotherapy). Before deciding on treatment, it is necessary to know the extent of the cancer, so it is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations. Before starting treatment, the patient should be informed about the treatment plan and about possible different treatment options. She should also have the opportunity to obtain sufficient information about the possible risks and possible side effects of anti-cancer treatment.
Supportive treatment is also an essential part of cancer treatment. The aim of supportive treatment is to manage possible side effects of anti-cancer therapy, such as nausea and vomiting, or infectious complications. This includes managing the complications that accompany the cancer itself – such as pain management.
