Every eighth woman is suffering from breast cancer today

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women

06/28/2013

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women and is now well treatable. The sooner a tumor is discovered in the breast, the greater the chance of recovery. About 80 percent of ill women today can be successfully treated, doctors report at the beginning of the annual meeting of the German Society of Senology (DGS). Breast cancer is no longer synonymous with a death sentence. Doctors can resort to different treatment options that can often be used to maintain the breast. Even for hereditary women breast cancer, there are alternatives to the amputation of the breast, the experts said.

Breast cancer is now well treatable
„Today, the diagnosis of breast cancer is by no means a death sentence, "says Diethelm Wallwiener, vice president of the DGS, at the annual meeting of the company opposite the news agency „dpa“. Most of the breasts could be preserved and the lymph nodes under the armpits are operated more gently, so that those affected suffered from less long-term discomfort. As part of the congress, 2,500 physicians discuss precaution, diagnostic procedures, treatment options and the latest research on breast and breast cancer. With more than 70,000 new cases a year, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, which statically affects every eighth woman.

The chances of a cure depend largely on how early the tumor is detected. „The sooner you discover cancer, the better it is to treat and the more women survive, "explains Sylvia Heywang-Köbrunner, head of the Munich Mammography Reference Center, to the news agency, which is why the national mammography screening program was launched in 2005 in Germany Women aged 50 to 69 are entitled to a free breast cancer screening every two years.

So far, there are no concrete findings from the check-up, reports Heywang-Köbrunner. „The results so far show that all parameters comply with the EU guidelines, with one exception: the participation rate - because women do not accept the offer. "In a report on the progress and limitations of mammography screening, the experts come to a positive conclusion Vorsorgemaßname: „Regular screening participation is expected to result in a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality for the screening participant.“ From data from 18 countries screening for breast cancer, mortality rates for quality-assured programs have been reduced by 43 percent.

The lifestyle plays an important role in breast cancer
As Marion Kiechle, co-congress president and director of the gynecological clinic at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, reports, the lifestyle has a decisive influence on whether the cancer actually breaks out in the case of a hereditary preload. Thus, first observations have shown that women who were physically active in their youth, in their later life despite genetic bias are less likely to suffer from breast cancer. In addition, a hereditary preload does not necessarily mean that sufferers would have to take their breasts off as a precaution, such as the US-American actress Angelina Jolie. An alternative would be close-meshed, comprehensive check-ups. Genetically prejudiced women have an 80 percent risk for breast cancer and a 60 percent for ovarian cancer.

Physical activity generally reduces the risk of breast cancer. „In non-inherited breast cancer breast cancer, the risk of cancer and disease is significantly influenced by physical activity, diet and body weight“, explains the expert. In addition, the risk of relapse and the death rate from physical activity were reduced by 50 percent.

Breast reconstruction in breast cancer
Congress President Axel-Mario Feller points to the possibilities of breast reconstruction. „Medically, reconstruction of the breast is not necessary, but it has been shown that patients with a reconstructed breast are generally better able to cope with the disease.“ There are two different procedures: breast reconstruction with an implant or with own tissue. „Which method is used in which patient depends not only on oncological and anatomical conditions, but must be developed very individually in a conversation with the respective patient“, explains Feller.

The scandal surrounding substandard implants did not result in fewer implants being used. This applies both to the aesthetic area as well as breast reconstructions after cancer. Many women, however, would inform themselves more differentiated than before. (Ag)