Breast cancer: know the changes that are reason for attention to the disease

Pink October, awareness month about breast cancer, comes to an end this Monday (31). The campaign was created in the early 1990s when the pink bow became a symbol of breast cancer prevention by the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure.

Breast cancer is the type that most affects women worldwide, both in developing and developed countries. Each year, around 66,000 new cases are recorded in Brazil, according to estimates by the National Cancer Institute (Inca). The disease occupies the first position in cancer mortality among women in Brazil.

One in three cancer cases can be cured if caught early enough. The disease is characterized in different stages: 0 to IV, the last being the most serious and considered incurable.

Also read: What is known about advanced breast cancer

According to Inca, most of the time, cancer is discovered by chance, without the need for a specific technique to be taught in order to carry out the self-examination.

The Ministry of Health recommends performing mammography as a screening method for breast cancer, that is, a routine examination, for women without signs and symptoms in the age group of 50 to 69 years, every two years.

To facilitate identification, experts list some breast cancer warning signs :

According to the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute and the Brazilian Society of Mastology, the Breast self-examination is no longer a recommended technique for women for tracking of breast cancer.

The guidance is based on several studies on the subject that have shown low effectiveness and possible harm associated with this practice.

However, it is recommended that the woman know her own body and be aware of any changes that may appear and seek medical advice, at any age, whenever you notice any suspicious changes in the breasts.

“We currently do not recommend self-examination for early identification of breast cancer, studies have shown that this strategy did not reduce mortality. The recommendation is that women are aware of breast health, know how to recognize suspicious signs and symptoms and have quick access to health services for investigation. Palpation of the breasts can occur whenever the woman feels comfortable”, says breast specialist Viviane Esteves, from the Mastology Service of the Fernandes Figueira National Institute of Women’s, Children and Adolescents’ Health (IFF/Fiocruz).