Breast Cancer

10% of cases of cancer in mammary glands are hereditary.

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What is Breast Cancer?

The appearance of cancer cells that grow uncontrollably among those that make up the breast tissue, give rise to the so-called breast cancer or breast cancer.

This neoplasm is the most common worldwide. Among the female population, it is in first place in prevalence; however, it is not a pathology that occurs exclusively in women.

Breast cancer can develop in different parts of the breast:

In duct cells.
In the milk-producing glands.
In other breast tissues.

There are different types of breast cancer:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Invasive ductal carcinoma (ICD)

Tubular carcinoma of the breast

Medullary carcinoma of the breast

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast

Papillary carcinoma of the breast

Cribriform carcinoma of the breast

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)

Inflammatory breast cancer

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

Male breast cancer

Paget's disease of the nipple

Breast phyllodes tumor

Recurrent and metastatic breast cancer

Breast tumor

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (ICD) are the most common occurrences. Breast cancer usually spreads through the lymphatic system (lymph nodes); which is why it is common for the mastologist specialist to closely monitor any presence of cancer cells in these tissues to increase the patient’s life expectancy and prevent metastatic breast cancer from occurring.

Symptoms

Some symptoms that occur in the patient with breast cancer in Panama are:

Diagnosis

Statistically, about 10% of cases of cancer in the mammary glands are hereditary. Taking this into account, the diagnosis begins with the rigorous interview that the specialist conducts to find out your family history.

In addition to this, the breast doctor will inquire a little about habits and other personal details that may represent risk factors for the appearance of cancer cells; among them: sex, age, overweight, overexposure to radiation and excessive alcohol consumption.

In the particular case of women; Some important data have to do with their reproductive function: early first menstruation, late menopause, children over the age of 30 or not having had any… are some of the details that can raise alarms.

After the interview is over, the doctor performs a physical exam to detect any abnormalities (nodules) that may be palpable in both the breasts and armpits. Depending on the findings, some of the following tests will most likely be ordered:

Mammography. It is also known as a mammogram. It is an X-ray study that is performed to detect changes in breast tissue.

Bearing in mind that breast cancer can have a much more favorable evolution if its detection is early, it is a test that is routinely performed on women from the age of 40.

Mammography can be of 2 types:

Screening mammogram. It is performed preventively when there are no findings or symptoms indicative of cancer.
Diagnostic mammogram. It is executed in suspected cases and involves the taking of additional images.

Breast ultrasound. In this study, digital images of the densest tissue of the breast are obtained from sound waves; which also allow any cyst or solid mass that has been detected to be analyzed.
MRI. It is useful in patients who already have a cancer diagnosis to know the extent of the cancer or if there are other tumors.
Biopsy. This test can be done by 2 methods that are chosen depending on certain variables: Location, extent, patient conditions…
With a needle (aspiration/puncture). Tissue samples are removed with a fine or coarse needle for further analysis.
Surgical. A portion of the mass is removed for study (a very rare procedure today).

A biopsy of the lymph nodes can also be performed to find out how far the cancer has spread to them, being able to confirm or rule out the presence of metastatic cancer.

Treatment

The initial treatment It usually focuses on surgery. There are several surgical options that are applied according to the characteristics, stage, conditions of the patient and some other variables.

For breast cancer, the main treatment may include one of these options:

Breast-conserving surgery (partial mastectomy). It removes only the portion containing the tumor and some proximal tissue.
Mastectomy. In it, the entire breast and breast tissue are removed. In some cases, nearby tissues are removed or the procedure is performed on both breasts simultaneously.
Surgery to remove lymph nodes. Removal of one sentinel node or many surrounding nodes into the armpit area may be performed.

After a breast removal, reconstructive surgery may be considered. To do this, different variables must be evaluated with your treating doctor and a plastic surgeon.

Other therapeutic alternatives that are used with breast cancer in Panama include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Preparing for Surgery

Breast cancer requires preparation both in the execution of previous tests and for the performance of some surgical intervention. Ask your doctor about any details you don’t understand; This will boost your confidence.

When breast removal is proposed, the most sensitive point is its degree of psychological affectation. In this sense, it is very important that you have the support of your closest environment and that you know many people who, like you, have walked this path.

Your doctor will surely provide you with all the information of the case so that you can move forward without fear. Don’t forget that approaching the situation in a positive way has been shown to have a great impact on the disease survival rates .

Always manage your expectations. Although reconstructive surgery is an option; Both the oncologist and the plastic surgeon are the only ones who can guide you and indicate the feasibility of this procedure for your well-being.

Risk factors for breast cancer

When we analyze any disease, there are conditions that have been studied to determine how they influence the predisposition that a person may have to develop a pathology.

Breast cancer risk factors are a way to alert women to those aspects of their lives that may make them vulnerable.

Unchanging factors

Age

As a person increases their biological age, the risks of developing cancer increase; In this sense, the most frequent cases of breast cancer occur after the age of 40. On the other hand, to the extent that the disease occurs in a younger person, its complications are usually greater.

Genetic inheritance

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are perhaps the most common; however, there are several genes that can be transmitted from parents to children and whose alteration can greatly increase the predisposition to this or another type of cancer.

Sex

Women are more vulnerable than men to the development of this type of neoplasm; however, they can also develop the disease.

Race

There is a slight difference that indicates a higher prevalence of cases among white people; Still, black people develop triple-negative breast cancer (the least common type) more often.

Personal history of cancer or other breast conditions

Some noncancerous breast diseases can predispose to cancer. On the other hand, if a person develops and manages to overcome breast cancer; there is a possibility that he will manifest it again.

Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

Women are more vulnerable than men to the development of this type of neoplasm; however, they can also develop the disease.

Dense breast tissue

Some women have more adipose tissue in their breasts, which makes it difficult to detect abnormalities early when they have a follow-up mammogram.

Early Development and Late Menopause

As a person's exposure time to their hormonal load is prolonged, the risks also increase.

Modifiable factors

Sedentariness

Lack of physical activity predisposes to the development of many diseases. It has been proven that those who practice sports at least 2 times a week considerably reduce their chances of developing cancer.

Obesity and overweight

Excess adipose tissue directly influences an increase in estrogen production that predisposes to the appearance of cancer. Similarly, this problem is even greater after menopause.

Excessive alcohol consumption

As with other types of cancer, alcohol has been shown to have a significant influence on the chance of developing the disease. It should also be considered that as the intake is higher, the risk factor increases.

Birth Control

There is some research linking oral contraceptives, injections, implants, and patches to increased risks; however, these investigations are still ongoing.

Not having had children, or having practiced breastfeeding

In particular, women who do not have children or who have them after the age of 30 are at greater risk than those who achieve pregnancies at younger ages. In addition to childbirth, the possibility of breastfeeding their children benefits women in the same way.

Menopause

Hormone therapies that are applied after menopause must be carefully administered under strict medical supervision; since in addition to cancer, they represent a risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.

Stages of Breast Cancer

Like other neoplasms, breast cancer develops progressively through different stages. In this sense, the stages of breast cancer are as follows:

Stage 0 Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abnormal cells are found in the area. It is also known as carcinoma in situ.

Stage 1 Metastatic Breast Cancer

The tumor is up to 2 centimeters long and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 2 Metastatic Breast Cancer

The tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters long, and cancer cells may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 3 Metastatic Breast Cancer

The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to nearby lymph nodes or nearby tissues such as the chest wall or skin.

Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

Why trust Dr. Roberto Garcia for your diagnosis and treatment?

Dr. Roberto Garcia has more than 12 years of experience in the field of oncology, being a trusted specialist committed to helping his patients at every step of their fight against cancer.

By working with a team of highly trained doctors and using state-of-the-art tools in his practice, Dr. Roberto Garcia ensures that his patients receive the most advanced and effective treatment possible.

Don’t waste any more time looking for oncologists in Panama! Schedule your appointment with Dr. Roberto Garcia today and take the first step toward a cancer-free life.