In the past, breast has been defined as a symbol for feeding offspring, but now it has become the symbol for charming beauty. However, many women lose their breasts because of breast diseases, denting their confidence and dampening their enthusiasm.
Breast diseases are more serious currently
Did you know that breast cancer has become the most threatening disease to women’s health? Every year, 260,900 new cases of breast cancer are reported in China with the death toll of 70,000. In addition, more and more young women are diagnosed with breast cancer in China. Women aged 45-59 are of higher incidence with median age of 50. Breast cancer is the most common reason for the death of women below 45. However, even though many people have realized the importance of mammary health, they may miss the best treatment timing because they don’t put much attention to it or they might be misled to a wrong way.
Then what on earth is breast disease?
1. Breast hyperplasia (also known as lobular hyperplasia)
It is the most commonly-seen disease in women with high incidence in women aged 25-45. It’s a rare event that breast hyperplasia will turn malignant. Therefore, we need to be alert and have regular examination.
2. Fibroma
It’s the most commonly-seen benign tumor in breast diseases and it might turn malignant in the least cases. The age group of high incidence is between 20 to 25 years old.
3. Mastitis
It usually occurs during lactation period, especially in primipara. Within 3-4 weeks after childbirth, acute mastitis may easily occur. Generally, there are three symptoms: fever, breast pain and local swelling of breast.
4. Breast cancer
It’s the most commonly-seen malignant tumor in women. The incidence rate will obviously rise in women above 30 years old. The peak of incidence rate is present in women between 40 to 49 years old.
Choose cryosurgery instead of chemotherapy
Nine years ago, Lina was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer but she refused traditional chemotherapy. She underwent cryosurgery in Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital (Fuda). “When doctors told me about the surgical resection, I thought my doom had come at that time,” Lina said. She had tried many ways before but all those ways led her to mastectomy. “Breasts mean so much to my life, so I can’t give it up.”Luckily, Lina recovered gradually with the help of Fuda.
In fact, there are many patients like Lina but not every one of them can positively fight against cancer. Many people know little information of breast diseases so they are scared when talking about cancer. They think breast diseases can’t be cured, but it’s not true. Let’s go through some common misunderstandings listed below!
Five understandings of breast diseases
01. Breast cancer is an incurable disease?
Although it’s hard to treat breast cancer, recovery rate of breast cancer can be above 75% due to early detection and treatment, and can be around 95% for early breast cancer.
02. A breast lump indicates breast cancer?
Even though most breast cancer patients have breast lumps but not all lumps are malignant tumor. In fact, breast lumps are benign in most cases. Those lumps with smooth surface and good activity are mostly benign but those ones with no pain, poorly-defined margin and poor activity are found in breast cancer patients.
03. Breast massage in beauty salon can treat breast cancer?
Beauty salon is not a medical institution. “Massagists” there are not professional medical staff and their massage doesn’t have any medical evidence.
04. The elderly don’t need to worry about breast cancer?
Aged female may easily ignore breast cancer. Though high incidence of breast cancer is in women aged 40-60 years old in China, highest incidence is in women above 80. Therefore, the elderly should also pay more attention to breast cancer.
05. Bigger breast easily lead to breast cancer?
The size of breast depends on how much fat you have and it doesn’t have much to do with breast itself. Actually, breast cancer is to do with heredity, lifestyle and other factors.
Early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment can defeat breast diseases
“Mom, I found a lump in my breast. Am I sick?”A little girl asked her mother who told her, “Don’t worry. It’s just a sign of growing up.” However, the girl was diagnosed with breast tumor later. It’s a common scene in these days. At first, you might not notice but in the end you might feel panic. Therefore, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are of great importance.
1. Self examination
If breast lumps, nipple discharge, nipple decay, skin erythema or axillary lymph node enlargement are found, you should immediately go to the hospital for further examination.
2. Healthy diet: More fresh fruits and vegetables, but less alcohol
American medical studies have found that a high-fat and high-protein diet increases the risk of breast cancer. Alcohol is thought to stimulate the secretion of prolactin in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, which is associated with the breast cancer.
3. A regular lifestyle and relaxation
A regular lifestyle and exercise can regulate your endocrine function. Keeping a good mood and reducing pressure can lower the risk of breast cancer.