"According to the current statistical data, breast cancer is still the most common cancer in women," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kinyas Kartal referred to the misinformation that negatively affected the diagnosis and treatment process of the disease and explained the truth...
Breast cancer is seen in 1 out of every 8 women in our country. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is possible to completely recover and get rid of the disease. Therefore, Yeditepe University Hospitals General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kinyas Kartal addressed the misunderstood points about the disease within the scope of the October 1-31 Breast Cancer Awareness Month and explained the facts about this issue as follows…

• All Breast Masses Are Cancer

FACT: Although it varies according to age group, on average, 80-90 percent of the palpable masses in the breast are benign. Our colleagues, not our patients, can distinguish whether the masses in the breast are benign or malignant. For this reason, we recommend that our patients who notice a mass in the breast apply to health institutions without wasting time.

• Breast Cancer Occurs More At an Older Age

FACT: Breast cancer is mostly diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65. From the age of 25, the incidence of breast cancer begins to increase, reaches the riskiest period at the age of 60-65, and begins to decrease after the age of 75.

•  Pain in the Breast is an Indicator of Cancer

FACT: Breast pain is a very common symptom, especially in pre-menopausal women. As a result of the changing hormone cycle during the menstrual period, the breast tissue also becomes sensitive and this appears as pain. The vast majority of pain in the breast is not related to cancer. However, it should not be forgotten that breast cancer can occur with all kinds of symptoms. In the presence of a complaint of pain that does not pass and is not related to the menstrual period, a physician application is required.

• People with a family history of breast cancer will develop breast cancer.

FACT: Having breast cancer in the family or close relatives does not necessarily mean that this individual will also get breast cancer. In daily practice, we see that only 10 percent of the patients we diagnosed with breast cancer have other patients with breast cancer in their families. The presence of breast cancer in the family, the proximity of the kinship, how many relatives there are, and the status of kinship by the mother or the father change the risk of the person at different rates. For example, the risk of a person with breast cancer in a first-degree relative increase 2-fold, while the risk of a person with breast cancer in two first-degree relatives increases approximately 3-fold. Therefore, they should be closely monitored.

• Standard Treatment is Applied for Breast Cancer Patients

FACT: Breast cancer treatment is completely personal. Even two patients diagnosed with breast cancer at the same stage may have different treatment methods. When deciding on treatment, we use different chemotherapy and surgical techniques depending on the patient and the characteristics of the tumor. For this reason, breast cancer treatment should be carried out by a professional team with the consensus of physicians in a council.

•  Treatment Options for Advanced Breast Cancer Are Limited/Untreatable

 FACT: Breast cancer is cancer that has a chance to be cured at every stage. The chance of treatment for advanced breast cancer is increasing day by day. Especially with smart drugs and new chemotherapy drugs, the spread of the disease can be controlled first and then the treatment can be completed with surgery again.

• Breast Cancer Treatment Requires Breast Removal 

In FACT: In the past years, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, the entire breast was surgically removed in the treatment of breast cancer. However, thanks to the innovations in treatment, we have seen that the same and even better results are obtained when the breast is protected. Today, we remove the entire breast in a very small group of patients. In most of our surgeries, the breast is preserved, only the tumorous part is surgically removed and evaluated pathologically.

• Breast Cancer Repeats After Treatment

FACT: The likelihood of recurrence of breast cancer is directly related to the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. The probability of recurrence of a breast cancer case detected at an early stage is approximately 5 percent if it is treated appropriately. We once again see the importance of early diagnosis here.

• Deodorants Cause Breast Cancer”

 FACT: Perfume, deodorant, armpit antiperspirants, waxing, laser hair removal… None of these have been shown to have a clear connection with breast cancer. However, in some studies, I think it is useful not to prefer those containing heavy metals and aluminum in their components.

• “There Is No One in My Family With Breast Cancer, So I Have No Risk”

Fact: It is a known fact that patients with a family history of breast cancer have an increased risk compared to other patients. But I would like to emphasize again that 90% of breast cancer patients do not have a family history. Therefore, the absence of breast cancer in your family reduces your risk. Every woman, whether in her family or not, is at risk for breast cancer.

•  If There is No Mass In The Breast, There Is No Cancer

Fact: We can see breast cancer in many different forms. Especially in imaging methods, ultrasound mammography does not always appear in the form of masses with certain limits. In some cases, the presence of asymmetric foci with different densities in the breast, and non-major millimetric calcification clusters make us nervous. In the biopsy results we performed from these regions, even if it is not in mass, the cases in which we detected cancer are not few at all. Therefore, breast cancer can be caused not only by the form of a mass but also by an asymmetric focus or millimetric areas of calcification. Hence, our patients should pay attention to their regular follow-ups in terms of examination and imaging.

Press Coverage: sozcu