How to detect and treat breast cancer during the pandemic? | Health | Magazine

Detecting breast cancer early, before symptoms or signs of the disease appear, is a fundamental step in applying the necessary treatment.

Detect the breast cancerBefore symptoms or signs of the disease appear, it is a fundamental step to apply the necessary treatment. In times of a pandemic, detection and treatment could be at risk.

In a study made a year ago by a medical team from the Ministry of Health, it is noted: “Being a group of vulnerable patients due to the immunological compromise that cancer or its treatment produces, multiple ethical considerations are involved regarding the initiation, suspension or delay therapeutic through the evaluation of the risk, benefit and safety for the specific groups of patients and the responsibility of the professionals in the prescription of oncological treatments ”.

“The risk that a cancer patient has of contracting SARS-CoV-2 is really not very clear, however at the moment it seems that they are more prone to a more severe disease, so the risk must be weighed against the benefit of comprehensive management, even more its prevention becomes the first line of control”, Is added in the investigation.

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Cancer is a “group of related diseases” as defined by the National Cancer Institute of the United States (NIH). In that country, it is the second most common type of cancer in women. It consists of the formation of malignant (cancer) cells in the tissues of the breast.

Hence, the United States Task Force on Preventive Services suggests: “Women between 50 and 74 years of age, who have an average risk of breast cancer, have a mammogram every two years. Women between the ages of 40 and 49 should talk with their doctor or other healthcare professional about when and how often to start mammograms. Women should weigh the risks and benefits of screening to decide whether to start mammograms before age 50. “

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How to find breast cancer

There are at least two main tests: mammography Y magnetic resonance. The first is to take X-rays of the breasts and is considered the best way to detect cancer for most women, especially in the early stages, when it is easier to treat and before it causes symptoms or lumps or lumps can be felt. any change.

In the case of magnetic resonance imaging, it is usually performed together with mammography in more advanced cases. It could happen that an MRI shows an “abnormal result even when there is no cancer,” warns the aforementioned group.

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Meanwhile, the Institute clarifies that these tests do not cause other diseases or death. To decide which one to do, aspects such as the person’s age, family history and whether the woman has been exposed to estrogen, as a result of reproductive history, has had hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms, has been evaluated. done radiation therapy to the breasts or chest, and if you consume alcoholic beverages.

Treatment of breast cancer in pandemic

People with cancer should maintain the same biosecurity measures that are recommended for the entire population. The Ministry points out that, in addition to frequent hand washing, use of a mask and physical distancing, it is suggested that medical consultations be virtual and that attention is paid if symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, chills, myalgia, headache, diarrhea develop , nausea, vomiting and rhinorrhea, after two weeks of having contact with someone who had COVID.

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Recommendations in case of suspicion or confirmation of COVID

The Ministry makes the following recommendations for cancer patients in case of presenting symptoms but not being a confirmed case, and in case a test has been positive for COVID:

• Suspicious without serious symptoms. Call 911 or 171 to arrange a home test. Stay in isolation at home until you have the result. If you test positive, quarantine for fourteen days (from the onset of symptoms) in a ventilated space and avoid the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Suspect with serious symptoms. Immediate evaluation in hospitals, requested through 911 or 171. You will be tested for COVID and will proceed to hospitalization.
• Confirmed case without serious symptoms. The same recommendations apply to those without serious symptoms: home confinement for two weeks.
• Confirmed case with serious symptoms. You will also need to request immediate evaluation at a hospital for medical care.

“In addition to social isolation and reduction in the number of visits to oncology units, it is of great importance to identify the risks that precede it before starting treatment; The patient should be categorized to prioritize therapy according to age group, type of cancer, etc .; make treatment adjustments such as changes from systemic intravenous to oral regimens, if possible or whether or not the therapy can be deferred ”, clarifies the Secretary of State.

Their study recommends that, in the case of inflammatory and locally advanced breast cancers, neoadjuvant therapy is applied, that is, that which is carried out prior to a main treatment (hormonal therapy before radiotherapy, for example). However, it is insisted that the final decision will depend on the medical evaluation of each case.

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“Therapeutic substitution strategies should be established, such as endocrine therapies for patients with hormone-sensitive cancers (breast cancer with endocrine receptors; prostate cancer), in relation to chemotherapy, therapeutic rest periods could be implemented for older adult patients with disease. stable or in response. If possible, oral therapy is considered a true alternative to replace intravenous therapy ”, the research adds.

Risk of suspending cancer treatments in the pandemic

The gynecologist Ximena Zurita reports that it is estimated that the mortality of women who suspend cancer treatment during the pandemic, for various reasons, could increase 26%. “Treatment and continuity are very important; These are going to impact in an incredible way on the survival of women ”, she points out.

The doctor clarifies, in an interview with EL UNIVERSO, that this does not mean that the woman with cancer should go immediately to the center where she received the treatment, but rather that she is aware of the moment in which her diagnosis and treatment are, to know what measures to take.

“For example, the oncologist and the surgeon have to assess which subtype (of cancer) is because not all of them should have surgery. Some may say ‘let’s wait for the surgery, we will have to postpone until you get vaccinated’. Or there will be others in which the surgeon says ‘you must have surgery now,’ “he explains.

“The important thing about this time is that women become aware that they were right on the path of diagnosis or treatment and we must empower ourselves with our health, know what I should do at this time, in an intelligent way, with a lot of wisdom, subtracting the risks of contagion of COVID, but we must resume that process and that path, “he insists.

What should you know about mammography to detect breast cancer?

Zurita refers to medicines, which could be lacking in times of pandemic, and advises that the patient do not stop going to the medical consultation, because the specialist can tell you what to do until the medicine is obtained. The important thing is that you are aware of the state of the disease and the treatment to follow.

At this point, he referred to the fear or taboo that may exist regarding knowing the results of exams. That is why he urges to pay attention to certain signs: the skin becomes like the pores of the orange peel, if the nipple is retracted (as if it were being pulled into the breast), a small ball appears in the breast or the armpit (there it is necessary to go to mastology or gynecology for an exam).

Breast cancer in the early stages has no symptoms, recalls the doctor, it is unlikely that lumps are found in the breast. That is why it is advisable to have a mammogram and not wait for the aforementioned signs.

Finally, she advises changing your lifestyle: exercising, giving up alcohol and improving your diet (antioxidants, such as vitamin C and zinc, help prevent), as ways to prevent this disease. (I)

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