As every year, we take advantage of October to increase attention towards the early detection of breast cancer, because early diagnosis increases the possibilities of treatment and life expectancy.

How is breast cancer detected?
Mammography is the most effective method for early diagnosis. It is a painless, quick procedure that must be performed once a year from the age of 35 in the general population.

There are cases that require a mammogram before this age, since the most recent statistics have shown that more than 40% of new cases occur in the reproductive age of women.

Breast self-exam
The American Society Against Breast Cancer and the World Health Organization recommend practicing exploratory breast self-examination from the age of 20, 3 to 5 days after the beginning of the period, as the breasts are not so sensitive.

Remember, before any warning sign, consult your doctor, or any change that you present in the area of ​​the breasts.

Practice it once a month:

1

Step 1

In front of a mirror, arms down, look for a change in color or deformation.

2

Step 2

With your hands on your hips, press firmly, leaning forward slightly and look for some of the changes mentioned.

3

Step 3

Raise your arms, and observe any change in shape or size.

4

Step 4

Standing with one hand behind the head, scan the entire breast in circular motions

5

Step 5

Finish your examination by squeezing the nipple and see if there is abnormal fluid leakage or pain.

La entrada Early detection saves lives: share information and raise awareness se publicó primero en Dr. Franklin Peña.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) each year there are 1.38 million new cases and 458 thousand deaths from breast cancer. The knowledge about the possible causes of breast cancer is insufficient, as to prevent them.

So early detection is still essential to fight against this disease. When it is detected in time, an adequate diagnosis is established and treatment is available, making the chances of cure high.

Therefore, every October the World Health Organization promotes comprehensive programs to combat this disease, giving priority to prevention strategies and timely detection based on self-exploration and mammography.

In this context, it is very important that the woman is made from the age of 20, a self-examination of breasts every month, a practice that must be taught by the medical and nursing staff to know and recognize the warning signs.

Join the campaign: share information and raise awareness

It is very likely that you are or have been close to someone fighting breast cancer, and you will know that many of these brave women have triumphed in defeating this terrible disease. Early detection gives you a very high cure margin.

On the other hand, there are risk factors (biological, environmental and reproductive history) that can not be modified; However, a series of factors related to lifestyle can be avoided and thus reduce the risk of suffering from this disease, which consist of a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, consumption of animal fats and trans fats, obesity, mainly after menopause, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption greater than 15g a day, smoking, among others.

Reconstructive plastic breast surgery
Those who have undergone surgery to treat breast cancer can choose various types of breast reconstruction.

If you decided to undergo breast reconstruction, there are still many issues to consider as you and your doctors discuss the type of reconstruction that is best for you. Some of the factors that you and your doctors will need to take into account when considering your options are:

• Your general health (including issues that may affect your recovery, such as smoking or certain health conditions)
• The size and location of cancer
• The size of your breast The complexity of breast cancer surgery
• If you need treatments other than surgery for cancer The amount of tissue available (for example, very thin women may not have enough extra tissue in the abdomen to use this area for breast reconstruction)
• If you want to undergo reconstructive surgery on one or both breasts Your desire to match the appearance of the other breast The coverage of your health insurance and related costs for the unaffected breast
• How fast you want to be able to recover from surgery
• Your willingness to undergo potentially more than one surgery as part of the reconstruction
• How different types of reconstructive surgery can affect other parts of your body

Your surgeon will review your medical history and general health, and explain which reconstruction options are best for you, based on your age, health, body structure, lifestyle, goals, among other factors. Talk frankly with your surgeon about your preferences. Be sure to express any concerns and priorities you have for the reconstruction, and look for a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. Your surgeon should explain the limits, risks and benefits of each option.

La entrada October, Breast Cancer Awareness month se publicó primero en Dr. Franklin Peña.