More than 85% of women with breast cancer come to the doctor with the problem of feeling a lump in the breast, in various sizes, large or small but that is not the initial symptom of breast cancer.!

In the United States, patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer while still asymptomatic are numerous, which is a clear advantage of mammogram screenings, as it can detect breast cancer from an early stage, at which there are no symptoms, leading to effective treatment and a high chance of complete recovery.

“Breast cancer is the No. 1 cancer killing women in the United States
while in Thailand, it ranks second after cervical cancer”

Currently, Thai women are diagnosed with breast cancer at an annual rate of 5,000 – 7,000 cases, and the trend seems to be increasing. Breast cancer arises from abnormal growth of breast tissue cells that the body cannot control, leading these abnormal cells to rapidly grow and spread to other organs.

“It is well known that women over the age of 40 are at risk for breast cancer,
which is a disease close at hand that needs regular self-monitoring
because the cause of breast cancer cannot clearly be identified by anyone.”

Although the exact cause remains unknown, those at risk for breast cancer come from various factors, such as genetics, menstruating before the age of 11, menopause after the age of 50, those without children or having their first child at age 30, as well as external factors that increase cancer risk like alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and the use of hormone therapy in infertility treatments.

 

The stages of breast cancer are classified as follows:

• Stage 0

  This is the beginning stage of cancer cells that have not yet spread to the breast tissue. If detected at this stage, the survival rate is 100%.

• Stage 1

  The cancer lump is no more than 2 centimeters in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes.

• Stage 2

  The cancer lump is 2 – 5 centimeters in size and may spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit area, but not to other organs.

• Stage 3

  The cancer lump is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit area, but not to other organs.

• Stage 4

  The cancer has spread to other organs.

 

Professor Dr. Supakorn Rojananin, Director of the Breast Center at Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services further explains that in the past, if cancer was found, the treatment was to remove the breast. However, current early screening with digital mammograms has made it possible to find cancer at the beginning stages, allowing for surgery that does not necessarily require removing the entire breast, known as breast-conserving surgery. This involves removing only the cancerous part to keep as much of the breast’s original shape as possible to prevent the loss of its form. If the remaining breast is significantly misshapen, augmentation can be done using the patient’s own skin and fat. Also, this type of surgery requires about 20 – 25 radiation treatments depending on the stage of the disease, which can lead to good treatment outcomes.

For those with advanced-stage cancer, if it is necessary to remove the entire breast, nowadays, reconstructive surgery is available to restore the breast using the patient’s skin, muscle, and fat, allowing patients to lead confident, happy lives free from insecurities about their appearance. This is beneficial for both physical and mental health.

The limitation of breast-conserving surgery is that it must meet the patient’s satisfaction who wants it and depends on whether the cancer is a single lump. If it’s impossible to determine the boundary of cancer clearly, surgery cannot be performed. The decision to provide hormone therapy and chemotherapy depends on the patient’s condition.

Prevention is still the most important factor, especially self-examination of the breast (women aged 20 years and above should practice self-examining their breasts every month, ideally 7 days after menstruation when breasts are less tense and less painful to touch). It’s also important to regularly observe the breast by looking in the mirror for any changes in size, skin changes, dimpling, unusual fluid discharge from the nipple, or change in skin color, to ensure timely treatment or surgery for breast cancer.

 

Breast cancer surgery

 

“One fact is that all types of cancer, even those that have been cured, can potentially recur,
whether more or less, depends on the stage of the disease.”

We can screen for breast cancer and perform breast cancer surgery before any symptoms are present besides self-examination, women should see a doctor for changes every 3 to 5 years. Women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram and ultrasound every year If there is a family history of cancer, screening might need to start earlier, from the age of 35, or those who have had cancer and recovered should see a doctor every 6 months.

“Breast cancer, if detected at an early stage,
can be treated by surgery without losing the entire breast.”