Breast cancer - symptoms, causes of illness
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Breast cancer is a threat primarily to women, although a small percentage of cases also affect men. Rapid response and taking appropriate treatment are very important, which can be difficult due to the fact that breast cancer usually does not show symptoms for a long time. Therefore, prevention and regular examinations are very important, allowing for a quick response in case of danger.
Breast cancer - causes and symptoms
The cause of breast cancer is the multiplication of defective epithelial cells of the mammary gland. Metastasis to other organs, such as the liver, bones, or lungs, is also possible. It is worth regularly examining your breasts even on your own and observing them. At an early stage, lumps in this area can be detected and addressed. Other symptoms include a change in the shape of the nipple, redness and tension of the breast skin, discharge from the nipple, and pain in the breast or surrounding area. The most important step if you experience similar symptoms is to visit a primary care physician's office. Breast cancer is associated with risk factors, which include:
- age - most often affecting women between the ages of 50 and 70,
- genetic factors,
- giving birth to a child after the age of 35,
- consuming excessive amounts of alcohol,
- early onset of menstruation,
- long-term use of oral hormonal contraception,
- other cancers.
Breast cancer - rapid response
A rapid response is very important. If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, you should report to the appropriate specialist as soon as possible, which is a lekarz pierwszego kontaktu. Poznań has many good specialists to whom a family doctor will refer you. You will certainly need a skierowanie do ginekologa. Poznań is a city of possibilities when it comes to this topic. It is good to sign up privately to avoid long waiting times and stress. A skierowanie do endokrynologa. Poznań will also be useful, as there is no shortage of specialists in this field in the city. To receive the necessary referrals, you must visit a family doctor.
It is worth remembering prevention, thanks to which any abnormalities can be quickly detected and the best treatment can be undertaken.
Prevention - it's worth remembering at any age!
Breast observation and self-examination are preventive actions that can be performed at home without using complicated methods. Several gestures and positions should be performed to detect any abnormalities. The first position involves standing in front of a mirror with arms down. The second involves raising your arms up. The third step is to examine the lymph nodes with your own hand. The fourth is examining the breast from top to bottom. The fifth step is a circular breast examination. The next step involves gently squeezing the nipple to check for any discharge. Such a self-examination takes only a few minutes. It is worth doing it regularly, and in case of feeling disturbing changes, lumps, or discharge, you must report to a primary care physician.
In some cases, we can speak of people who are in a high-risk group. If someone in your family has already had cancer, it is worth performing a molecular test. It is also worth performing regular examinations, even if you are not sure if you are in a high-risk group. Breast ultrasound and mammography are examinations that should be done regularly. Sometimes you may not even know that someone in your family had cancer. Therefore, you should always remain vigilant and take care of your health. It is worth visiting the National Health Fund website, where you can find a list of places where you can perform mammography and cytology for free.
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