Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. There are more than 65,000 new cases per year, a health problem that affects one in eight women, but can also affect men.
To support members and their families and friends in this issue, Horiens organized, in partnership with other companies of the Novonor Group, the live ‘Papo Rosa’, which brought valuable information about the myths and truths surrounding the disease.
Dr. Denize Cavalcante Lopes, responsible for Occupational Health at the OEC, as well as the invited physicians, gynecologist and mastologist, Dr. Maria Julia Calas, and oncologist, Dr. Sabrina Chagas, participated in the live broadcast, held on October 26th as a special action of the Pink October campaign.
Check out the main highlights of the Papo Rosa live chat!
How to prevent and detect breast cancer early?
The first step is the adoption of a lifestyle consisting of a healthy diet and physical exercise (at least 150 minutes per week), in addition to the elimination of alcohol and smoking. “One-off measures are not enough. You need to have consistency in your lifestyle in general. The sooner people bring this into their daily lives, the better,” stresses Dr. Sabrina.
Another extremely important factor is to take the exams with discipline. Women between the ages of 40 and 74 should have an annual medical check-up, including a mammogram. In the case of people with a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, father and daughter), Follow-up with a mastologist should be started earlier. “Mammography is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, when the chances of cure increase significantly,” explains Dr. Maria Julia.
In addition to mammography, breast ultrasonography is also relevant for follow-up and diagnosis. “It is a complementary exam, but it does not replace mammography,” says Maria Julia.
There is also MRI, used for specific cases, such as women who have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Dr. Maria Julia also brought in live the indication of exams for transgender men and women. “In the case of trans men, in cases where breast removal has not been done, follow-up should be performed normally, starting at age 40. For trans women, we indicate monitoring starting at age 50, due to the use of female hormones,” she points out.
Self-exam: to do or not to do?
Currently, self-examination is indicated by specialists only as a way to get to know one’s own body well. “In self-examination, it is not possible to identify very small nodules, so the recommendation is monitoring with conventional exams,” clarifies Dr. Sabrina.
Risk Factors
Women, people who are overweight or obese, smokers, regular alcohol consumption, unbalanced diet, and family history of the disease are some of the main risk factors for breast cancer.
The presence of silicone prosthesis, a tight bra, breastfeeding, and breast size are often doubted by people, but they do not cause breast cancer. “These are frequent questions in the office, but they are actually myths. The silicone prosthesis, inclusive, does not prevent the mammography to be done”, highlights Dr. Sabrina.
