Is breast cancer curable?

Breast cancer is the type of cancer that most often manifests itself among Brazilian women and unfortunately still appears to be the leading cause of death among women aged 35 to 55 years. This is because many cases are discovered late, when the tumor is already advanced and the risk of cancer cells affecting other organs is greater.

But what is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor formed from an exaggerated and disordered multiplication of cells. The tumor is called malignant when its cells have the ability to invade other healthy cells around them and reach other parts of the body, invading more healthy cells and producing new tumors.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors for breast cancer may be family history, ie cases of breast cancer in the family, especially if the person affected is closely related and if the disease manifested before menopause, or breast lesions, that increase the risk for this cancer.

Other factors such as high fat diets, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and stress contribute somehow to increased risk.

How can breast cancer be diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose breast cancer is mammography, a type of breast X-ray that can detect the tumor even before it becomes palpable. Although effective, mammography does not rule out breast self-examination and physician examination, as some palpable nodules may not be detected by mammography.

After all, is breast cancer curable?

Malignant tumors, such as breast cancer, grow rapidly, painlessly, and have almost no symptoms in their early stages. Therefore, early diagnosis is the greatest weapon women have in their hands. That is, the sooner it is discovered, the easier and faster breast cancer can be cured.

Ideally, diagnose the tumor when it is still small, less than 1 cm. When the tumor is detected about 5 cm in diameter, healing may involve removal of the breast. However, even when mastectomy, breast removal surgery is required, reconstructive plastic surgery has excellent results.

Infographic ? Breast cancer

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Study finds higher survival rate at every stage of breast cancer (April 2024)