New Research Points to the Important Issues in Breast Cancer

Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven said that despite the increase in the Incidence of breast cancer, there has been an increase in the duration and quality of life with new developments in treatment, and reviewed the latest information on breast cancer and its treatment...

Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven explained that the studies and developments carried out in recent years on breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women today, have ensured that the disease has taken a chronic course, and evaluated the future projection of breast cancer with new developments. She also stated that many recent scientific researches have helped to gain important milestones in the fight against breast cancer.

Caution to Late Recurrences in Breast Cancer!

Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven stated that in accordance with the data obtained from retrospective studies, while the probability of recurrence of the disease after 15 years in 20 thousand breast cancer patients was around 9%, this rate was shown to be during 25 years of follow-up. Pointing out that tumor size and lymph node metastases are important parameters in terms of the risk of recurrence of the disease, Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak stated, "While the possibility of recurrence is higher in advanced stage patients with a large number of axillary lymph node metastases and large tumor size at the time of diagnosis, the late recurrence rate is higher, especially in patients with positive hormone receptors." Pointing out the importance of regular follow-up of patients at this point, She stated, "Although patients have completed their 5-year follow-up period, it is of great importance that patients do not neglect their annual controls in medical oncology and thus do not miss the chance to intervene early in diseases."

Regular Control is Important for Cardiometabolic Risks

Pointing out that a new study has revealed that the treatment of breast cancer also affects the cardiovascular risk factors of the individual, Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven explained the points that patients should pay attention to in this regard:

"In a study, 15 thousand newly diagnosed breast cancer and 75 thousand healthy controls were compared and as a result, hypertension (vs 9%) and diabetes (2.1% vs 1.7%) were more common in breast cancer patients at the end of the second year. At the tenth-year examination, the presence of diabetes was still higher in patients with breast cancer (9.3% vs 8.8%). Since patients with breast cancer are examined more regularly, the detection of chronic diseases may be higher. In addition, the treatment methods and hormone therapies used may also cause menopause and adversely affect metabolism." Prof. Dr. Öven pointed out that it is possible to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by healthy nutrition and preventing obesity, as this result shows, and stated that it is also important in protecting against cardiovascular diseases.

Blood Samples Can Be Taken and Blood Pressure Can Be Measured from the Operated Arm!

Stating that there are concerns among both patients and physicians about the use of the operated arm for invasive methods such as venipuncture and injection after breast cancer surgery, Prof. Dr. Öven stated that there is a new recommendation by the American Society of Surgeons on this issue. Stating that lymphedema seen on that side of the arm due to the removal of the armpit lymph vessels after breast cancer surgery is an important problem affecting the quality of life of patients, Prof. Dr. Öven made the following comments on the new statement:

"It is widely recommended intravenous procedures, blood pressure measurement, blood sampling, etc. should be avoided for life after surgery. The American Society of Breast Surgeons stated that such a measure may not be necessary for patients who have undergone underarm surgery but do not have lymphedema. At this point, correct information to be provided after evaluating the patients on a patient-by-patient basis and determining the risk factors will improve the quality of life of the patients."

Pregnancy after Breast Cancer Reduces the Risk of Recurrence

Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven stated that the effect of pregnancy of women undergoing breast cancer treatment on the recurrence of cancer is controversial, and added that according to a study, as a result of an analysis involving 112,000 breast cancer patients, it was shown that the survival of those who became pregnant was better than those who did not become pregnant. "We can express to our patients that becoming pregnant after receiving breast cancer treatment will not adversely affect the disease," said Prof. Dr. Öven and concluded her words as follows: "However, we can recommend waiting for a period of 2 years from the time of diagnosis, especially when the risk of recurrence is slightly higher. Although there is no definitive evidence, it would be important to become pregnant after at least 3 months of hormonal treatment in order to protect against the teratogenic effects of the drugs on the baby."