According to Dr. Paola Andrea Barbosa Albarracín, a hospital doctor specializing in auditing the Colombian League Against Cancer, in Colombia 15,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and around 4,411 die. Being more specific, 12 women over 50 years of age die in the country every day.
Most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, which considerably reduces the expectation of effective treatment and survival of patients. Therefore, Dr. Barbosa highlights the importance of continuing to strengthen actions aimed at prevention and early detection. In this sense, health care habits, self-awareness of the body and the identification of warning signs are key to consult in time about this type of cancer.
Does the menstrual cycle influence the early detection of breast cancer?
During the menstrual cycle, variations in the levels of regulatory hormones are responsible for changes such as swelling, pain and tenderness that many women experience in their breasts and in their body. In fact, these symptoms are what often alert women that their period is about to start.
According to Dr. Barbosa, the most important thing is to recognize that these changes that occur in the body are normal and are not necessarily related to the development of breast cancer. For this reason, it is imperative that each woman knows the symptoms that she normally presents during her cycle, so as not to confuse them with warning signs and, also, so that if she feels or recognizes any different signs, she can go to a specialist in time. .
Among the signs that should be taken into account, the doctor highlights the detection of: a recent lump in the breast or armpit, increased thickness or swelling, irritation, sinking, redness or peeling of the skin of the breast or areola and/or pain in the area, discharge from the nipple other than milk, and any change in the size or shape of the breast.
How can a woman recognize the signs that are different from those that she presents during her menstrual cycle? Through the self-examination that must necessarily be carried out eight days after the end of the menstrual cycle.
According to the doctor, breast self-examination should start at age 20 and should be done monthly for the rest of life. “It is necessary that for this the date on which it is carried out each month is marked, taking into account that it must be done 8 days after the end of menstruation. For this reason, it is recommended to have a calendar to be able to record the date of the month in which the exam must be carried out”, he points out.
Dr. Barbosa assures that the bathroom is the ideal place to perform the self-examination. This area allows you to look at yourself in a mirror, learn to know yourself and synchronize with your body. “We get out of the shower and in the mirror we can observe the symmetry of the breasts, how the color is, how the weight is, where the nipples go or if there is any sinking, how is the size, if one is bigger than another , if you are showing any mass, dimple, wrinkles, dents or skin that looks like orange peel “.
However, it is recommended to perform the palpation phase lying down, on the bed with a pillow under the breast to be examined, since it is a position that allows the full extent of the area and the armpit to be explored (Minsalud- INC). Being in front of the mirror also allows for proper palpation: placing your hand behind your head and using the middle fingers of the other hand, press gently but firmly, making small movements to examine the entire breast. Subsequently, the axilla should be palpated, as the breast tissue extends into this area. The nipples should also be gently pressed, checking for discharge.
It is important to recognize that self-examination is used to detect warning signs, but not to diagnose. Although it is part of the strategies that each woman knows her body, early detection requires an annual clinical review for women over 40 years of age. As well as mammography, which should be performed by women over 50 years of age every two years. In specific cases of cancer in the family, other relevant risk factors or the presence of implants, a specialist should be seen more frequently and, if the doctor requires it, a mammogram should be taken before this age.
Finally, the Colombian League Against Cancer wants to remind Colombian women that, through their health insurer, they can request the advice of specialists to learn how to perform a self-examination and find out about the changes in their own body, in order to be able to detect when something is not right.
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