Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women globally. It is the second most common type of tumor.
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a disease in which breast cells grow rapidly and increasingly and form a tumor. If untreated, tumors can spread to all areas of the body and form metastases in the body.
Causes of breast cancer
Among the most prominent causes of breast cancer are the following:
- Heredity
Women with the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes have a very high risk of breast cancer.
- Other genetic defects
Women with the P53 gene responsible for eliminating tumors are at risk of breast cancer.
These acquired genetic defects may be caused by women's exposure to radiation to treat fibroids, or at the stage of breast development.
Risk factors for breast cancer
There are many risk factors that increase the chance of breast cancer, most notably:
- Personal history of breast cancer exposure.
- Family history.
- Excess weight.
- Onset of menstruation at an early age.
- Delay in reaching menopause.
- Hormone therapy.
- Taking birth control pills.
- Smoking.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has a range of symptoms, most notably:
- Breast lump.
- Change in breast size or appearance.
- Redness or any alteration of the skin.
- Change in the appearance of the nipple.
- Abnormal fluid or blood coming out of the nipple
.
Complications of Breast Cancer
If not treated, breast cancer can cause the following complications:
- Ulceration and inflammation of the skin of the breast.
- The tumor spreads to the lymph nodes, which leads to the tumor moving and the formation of metastases in other organs. This causes the functions of these organs to be affected and stopped.
- Decline in public health and then death in advanced stages of the disease.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Turkey
Among the most prominent diagnostic methods are the following:
- Breast self-examination
Women's awareness is of great importance in the early diagnosis of breast cancer and is the key to recovery. If a woman notices one of the following changes, she should visit her doctor:
o Feeling of lump, in the breast that did not exist previously.
o Discomfort in the breast.
o Breast pain.
o Change in breast shape and overlapping nipple.
o Changes in the skin of the nipple or areola.
o Bloody or watery discharge from the nipple.
- Mammography
Mammography is used to diagnose early breast cancer
- Ultrasound examination
It is a complementary procedure to a mammography examination as it is used to verify and confirm the results of X-rays.
- Magnetic resonance imaging
Used to assess tumor metastasion before surgery or after partial mastectomy.
Breast Cancer Treatment in Turkey
Surgery: Surgical methods to treat breast cancer include:
- Cancerous tumor removal
Tumor resection is often followed by radiation therapy in order to eliminate any surviving cancer cell.
Types of breast tumor resection:
o Partial or sectional removal of the breast.
o Simple resection.
o Total mastectomy.
- Biopsy of lymph nodes
Breast cancer spreads towards the lymph nodes located under the armpit. Therefore, all women who have invasive type cancer should have this screening.
- Axillary lymph node resection
If there is a cancerous tumor in the lymph nodes, the lymph nodes under the armpit should be removed.
- Breast reconstruction and reconstruction surgery
There are types of breast reconstruction and reconstruction that include:
o Artificial tissue implantation.
o Reconstruction of the nipple area and the skin surrounding the nipple (areola).
- Radiation treatments
Radiation therapy aims to shrink the tumor and kill cancer cells. However, the rays may be directed at healthy cells and cancer cells as well.
- Chemotherapy
The effectiveness of chemotherapy in removing malignant tumors outweighs surgery and radiation combined. This is because chemotherapy can target all areas of the body, not just specific areas. As in targeted surgery or radiation.
Chemotherapy targets special genes and proteins in the cancer cell that eliminate them and prevent food from reaching them.
- Hormone therapy
In the case of hormone-sensitive tumor, certain medications may be given to block the secretion of this hormone, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. that work to block the secretion of estrogen.
- Biological therapy
Biological treatments to treat breast cancer include:
- Trastuzumab.
- Bevacizuma.
- Docetaxel.
Breast Cancer Prevention
Ways to prevent breast cancer include:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Refrain from smoking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Perform prophylactic mastectomy surgery who have a high risk of breast cancer.
Cost of Breast Cancer Treatment in Turkey
Turkey has a very high level of extensive experience of its doctors, the infrastructure of its hospitals and the medical services it provides. In addition, the cost of breast cancer treatment in Turkey is very low compared to other countries.
In conclusion, we have learned about breast cancer treatment in Turkey,. For more information, you can request a free and immediate consultation from the best gynecologist in Istanbul, Prof. Dr. med. Sona Özdemir.
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