The doctor Juan Benites, a specialist in medical oncology, said in the Walac Noticias’ Medico en Casa program, that the breast cancer is the most common in women. According to figures given by the doctor, 1 in 5 Females suffer from this type of disease.
He also indicated that breast cancer is one of those that lower mortality has given that not all are aggressive cases. In that sense. The doctor commented that early detection help and adequate treatment are essential to reduce the death rate.
“In breast cancer there are survivors. I have patients who have had cancer for 5 years, are in check-ups and lead a normal life. Even many of them now have their NGOs where they help other patients. Hearing the word cancer does not mean dying”, He highlighted.
Regarding other types of cancer, he noted that being in stage 4 is not a death sentence. He explained that there are patients who live with their cancer as if it were diabetes or high blood pressure. However, he specified that patients in this case will have to follow long treatment.
Causes and diagnosis
Benites noted that the main risk factor for breast cancer is hormone secretion. This phenomenon is natural within women, but it constitutes a risk factor. Also, there are other causes such as the use of oral contraceptives, whether the patient received eradication on or near the chest.
The specialist recommended that women over 40 should undergo a diagnostic study. This can be breast ultrasound or mammogram that allow to detect small lumps within the breast. He also added that people should also self-examine to detect lumps that, later, can turn out to be malignant.
“Cancer is determined from images and these are obtained through tomography, ultrasound, mammography and resonances. These studies are able to determine too small lumps and are suspicious cases can be biopsied“, said.
After the aforementioned examinations, the doctor pointed out that if lumps are found, a biopsy to determine the type and subtype of cancer. This will let the doctor know what stage the cancer is in and how fast it is spreading.
At this point, he warned that there is among patients the myth that when performing a biopsy the tumor hides in another part of the body. Benites cautioned that this practice is very dangerous for since this medical procedure helps in the detection of cancer and a timely treatment.
“Patients do not biopsy, they prefer to suffer from the disease. Because they are afraid that the tumor will hide or grow elsewhere. This is totally untrue. The biopsy serves to diagnose cancer ”, he emphasized.
Watch the full interview
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