I. Age at which the disease occurs
Breast cancer can occur among women of all ages, but the main incidence is between 40 and 60 years of age. As age increases, the incidence increases. Over the years, the incidence of breast cancer among young women has also increased, causing widespread concern.
In some developed countries, the incidence of breast cancer is relatively low among young women and higher among older women as a result of widespread breast cancer screening and improved early detection techniques. In developing countries, the incidence of breast cancer among young women may be relatively high and often at an advanced stage of diagnosis, owing to limited medical resources and insufficient screening.
II. Epidemic factors:
1. Genetic factors
1. The risk of individual breast cancer increases significantly if there are first-degree relatives in the family (mother, sister, daughter). For example, the risk of breast cancer has increased significantly among women carrying a genetic mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Studies show that about 5 to 10 per cent of breast cancer cases are associated with genetic mutation.
2) Hormones
1 Estrogen and pregnancy hormone levels 1 Long-term high levels of estrogen exposure may increase the risk of breast cancer. For example, early onset (less than 12 years) and late menopausal (more than 55 years) can prolong women ‘ s exposure to estrogen. Changes in hormonal levels in the body may also be associated with the occurrence of breast cancer for women who are not, late (first born after 35 years of age) and who are not breastfed.
The long-term use of oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. The use of hormone substitution therapy after menopause may also increase the risk of breast cancer, but the risk varies according to the type, dose and duration of the hormone used.
3. Lifestyle factors
1) High fat, high heat and low fibre diets may increase the risk of breast cancer. For example, there is over-ingestion of red meat, processed meat and fried food, while the consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains is lacking.
Overdouring is also considered to be one of the risk factors for breast cancer, and alcohol may affect hormonal levels in the body and adversely affect breast tissue.
4. Lack of sports
The chronic lack of physical exercise leads to increased body weight and reduced body metabolic functions, increasing the risk of breast cancer. Moderate exercise can help maintain healthy weight, reduce hormone levels and enhance the functioning of the immune system.
5. Smoking
Smoking not only increases the risk of other diseases, such as lung cancer, but may also be associated with breast cancer. Harmful substances in tobacco may affect normal metabolism and repair of breast cells and increase the risk of genetic mutation.
6. Environmental factors
Long-term exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, such as medical radiation (multiple chest X-rays, CT scans, etc.) or occupational radiation exposure may increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, however, the radiation doses in medical examinations are generally within safe limits, and the risk increases significantly only when high doses are frequently received.
Chemical substances in the environment, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and pesticide residues, may have adverse effects on breast tissue and increase the risk of breast cancer. Persistent exposure to hazardous substances in certain industrial chemicals and plastics may also be associated with the occurrence of breast cancer.
7. Psychological factors
Chronic mental stress, anxiety, depression, etc. may affect the functioning of the immune system and the balance of the endocrine system, thus increasing the risk of breast cancer. For example, the risk of breast cancer may be relatively high for women who have long been in a high-pressure working environment or are living under greater stress.
The above is the result of a combination of factors. An understanding of these causes can help women take appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of breast cancer. At the same time, regular breast screening and early detection and treatment of breast cancer are important.
I. Methods of screening for the diagnosis of breast cancer
1. Breast self-examination
1) A self-examination is conducted once a month, preferably between 7 and 10 days after the end of the period.
2) In front of the mirror, observe the size, symmetrical shape of the breast on both sides, whether the skin is red or edible, dents, orange skin changes, etc. It then touches the breast with its fingertips, starting with the upper and lower, inner and upper limits in turn, and finally touching the area where the nipple is faint, and checking for swellings and knots. They also squeeze their nipples and observe the presence of secretions.
3) Although self-inspection does not identify breast cancer, it helps women to detect breast abnormalities at an early stage and to obtain further medical examination in a timely manner.
2. Doctor ‘ s clinical examination
1) Visiting and consultation
2) Doctors examine the appearance of breast, skin colour, nipple position, etc., as well as the area above the breast, armpit and collarbone with their hands, and check for anomalies such as swelling and lymphoma swollenness.
3) The doctor ‘ s experience and professional judgement allow for a preliminary assessment of the mammography. To provide leads for further inspections and to determine whether additional inspections are required.
3. Visual inspection
(1) Breast X-ray Photography (Molybdenum targeting)
1 Principle: Breast imaging using low-dose X-rays can detect anomalies in microcalcification points, swelling, etc. in breast tissue.
Advantage 2: The high sensitivity to calcified stoves is one of the important tools for early detection of breast cancer. Especially for women over 40 years of age, molybdenum target testing has a high diagnostic value.
3 Limitations: The relatively low sensitivity of the incisive breast may result in the omission of some early pathologies. Young women have more dense breast tissues and are generally not recommended for the pre-selection test.
(2) Breast ultrasound
1 Rationale: mammography using ultrasound to determine whether or not there is a disease by observing the echo characteristics of breast tissue.
2 Advantages: Non-irradiation, which is more appropriate for young women, women with dense breast and pregnant lactating mothers. A distinction can be made between cysts and physicality of swelling, and there is better diagnostic value for diseases such as breast cysts and mastitis.
3 Limitations: Microcalcification tests are less sensitive than molybdenum target tests.
3) MRI.
Principle 1: Breast imaging using magnetic fields and radio waves provides more detailed information on breast tissue.
Advantages 2: High resolution of soft tissues, early detection of small stoves, significant role in the spacing of breast cancer and in assessing the effectiveness of treatment. MRI can be used as an additional means of screening for high-risk groups such as the family history of breast cancer and the BRCA gene mutation.
3 Limitations: There may be some risk and discomfort when the cost of the examination is high, the duration of the examination is long and the injection of a film-making agent is required. The calcification display is less than a molybdenum target.
Pathological examination
1) . cytological examination for perforation (FNAC)
1 Method: The doctor uses a thin needle to pierce the mammogram, extracts a small number of cells for cytological examination and determines the benignness of the cells.
2 Advantages: simple, fast, small trauma, available for outpatient care. There is a high degree of diagnostic accuracy for some of the larger swellings or permeable pathologies.
3 Limitations: In the case of smaller lumps or deeper-positioned pathologies, puncture is more difficult and may result in false negative results. It is not possible to determine the type and grade of the tumour.
2) Crucifixion Work Inspection (CNB)
1 Method: Organization samples are obtained using a thick needle and pathological examinations are performed.
2 Advantages: more organizations are available, more comprehensive assessments are made of the type of tumour, grade, immunisation etc., and the diagnosis is more accurate.
3 Limitations: Some trauma may cause complications such as haemorrhage, infection, etc.
3) Surgery biopsy
Method 1: A pathological examination may be carried out in case of a disease that is highly suspected to be malignant or where other examinations cannot be clearly diagnosed.
2 Advantages: The most accurate diagnostic method, which can specify the nature, type, stage, etc. of the tumor and provide the basis for subsequent treatment.
3 Limitations: Surgery is highly traumatic and may affect breast appearance.
In the light of the above, the diagnosis of breast cancer requires the application of a combination of different methods of examination, and the doctor selects the appropriate means of examination, taking into account the patient ‘ s specific circumstances, to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.
