ORttobre is the month dedicated to breast cancer preventionthe most widespread of female tumors. According to the data, in 2024 about 53,686 new diagnoses of breast cancer were estimated, 621 between men and 53,065 among women. (Data Aiom – Italian Medical Oncology Association “The numbers of Cancer in Italy – 2024“).
A phenomenon on which it often carries Attention is the increase in cases among younger women. How do you explain? «The first aspect to consider is that Today there is greater attention to early diagnosis: women are more aware of the importance that it can have to undergo controls And this causes tumors to be diagnosed with an early stage even to younger women ” – explains the doctor Chiara Segré, Responsible for the scientific supervision of Umberto Veronesi Ets Foundation.
But if on the one hand the attention of women to prevention grows, on the other The lifestyle also weighs.
Breast cancer and risk factors
“We know today that There are risk factors related to lifestyle which can increase the number of Young women who get sick with breast cancer – The expert continues. – Among the main ones, the Combination of smoke and alcohol consumption. Compared to the past, the number of women, even very young, which smoke and consume alcohol regularly has increased considerably and this can have a weight. As well as the change in reproductive habits. The fact of have children in an increasingly advanced age or not to have it, it can have An impact on the risk of developing breast cancer. This is because the pregnancy induces a sort of stand-by hormonal which represents a protective factor for women’s tumors, as well as breastfeedingif it happens before the age of 30 and if prolonged, then if carried forward for more than six months. It is obviously not a judgment on the lifestyle of today’s women but simply of elements that can help to explain the increase in youth diagnoses of recent years “.
Today it is more curable
The encouraging appearance, however, is that compared to the past today breast cancer it is more cureable. Always looking at the data, the net survival rate 5 years after the diagnosis is 88%with a probability of living an additional 4 years conditioned to have exceeded the first year after the diagnosis of 91%.
“Today We can count on very advanced and effective therapeutic protocols – confirms Dr. Segré – we have available the precision medicine tools, such as monoclonal antibodiesbut also hormonal therapies and we can make use of Radiotherapy and surgery techniques Very precise and much less invasive than in the past. Breast cancer is a certainly serious illness but that To date he must not scare excessively Because, thanks to the progress made by medicine, they are Many tools that allow women an excellent probability of overcoming the disease».
Breast cancer: from what age to undergo controls?
To play a key role, however, is always the prevention. So much so -called primarythat is, tied to the adoption of healthy lifestyles, so much that secondaryaimed at early diagnosis through screening.
From what age it is therefore important undergo checks? «General indications, in the absence of genetic, family or personal risk factors, They recommend mammography from 45 years old. Today i national screening programs they offer free mammographs every two years For women between 50 and 69 years oldonly some regions anticipate to 45 years of age and extend up to 74». It is good to remember that the mammography It is the exam that allows you to diagnose cancer in an early stage, reducing not only mortality but also the need for invasive interventions. “From 74 years onwards you can make a mammography every three yearI – continues Dr. Segré – always relying on indications of the doctor, Based on one’s life history and its general state of health. Before 45, The doctor can direct to mammography in cases where there is a well -known familiarity, of the genetic risk factors Or other conditions that can increase the risk of getting sick ».
Inheritance and familiarity: let’s clarify
When There is talk of inheritance and familiarity of breast cancer However, there is often a lot of confusion. What is the difference?
“There is talk of inheritance when the risk is associated with specific genetic mutations – explains the expert. – The most famous are BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. While only 5-10% of all cancer diagnoses breasts are associated with these mutations, we know that they are mutations that The risk of younger women are increasing a lot».
Breast cancer and hereditary predisposition
How to understand if you have a hereditary predisposition? “There are gods criteria that make the presence of genetic mutations suspect Of this type – explains Dr. Segré again. – The presence of three or more people in the family who have had breast cancer or ovaryeven in the same generation, in the case, for example, of two sisters. Having received a diagnosis at a very young age, there presence of negative triple breast cancer before sixty years, cases of male breast cancer in the family or the presence of More than breast cancer in the same person. In these cases It is suggested to undergo the genetic test But it is important to underline that it must always be the doctor who gives this indicationabsolutely avoiding the do-it-yourself.
As we said, the BRCA mutations are responsible for only a fraction of all cases of breast cancer: This means that the vast majority of women who get sick do not present this mutation. Doing genetic tests would have no sense and choose to do it without the supervision of the doctor who interprets the result, He exposes to the risk of receiving indications that put in vain alarm ».
What is meant by familiarity?
“Instead of familiarity When there are Up to three people, among the tight relatives, Like the mother, grandmother or sister, who had a diagnosis of breast cancer – continues the head of the scientific supervision of the Umberto Veronesi Ets Foundation. – Familiarity is anyway a condition that indicates a slightly increased risk Compared to the average, but certainly not comparable to that associated with the BRCA mutation. In case of familiarity for breast cancer, The doctor may advise you to start undergoing mammography already at 40 or before, if necessary».
Self -evolution
With a view to prevention, Even the self -examination of the breast It is considered a good habit to respect.
«Although it does not have the same value as a medical examination, it is still A recommended practice to all women starting from puberty – underlines the expert. The ideal frequency? “Ideally every month, possibly far from the menstrual cycle, Since sometimes the breast changes near menstruation. It is a habit that helps to know your breast, thus intercepting more easily than any changes».
Breast cancer: the signals not to be overlooked
The signs to be grasped? “Not so much the presence of nodulesgiven that the goal of early diagnosis should be to arrive before a lump is palpable – clarifies Dr. Segré – but rather changes in the appearance of the skin or nipple, abnormal secretions Similar to drops of milk even if you are not breastfeeding. It is important to remember that all These anomalies can also have a benign cause causelike inflammation, but However, they should not be overlooked because they can indicate the need to make investigations with the doctor ».
Overcome the fear of screening
In short, the month of October represents A precious opportunity to reiterate to all the importance of prevention.
«If you are important to pay attention to your lifestyle and knowing how to grasp the signals of the body, over the years it is good Entering the perspective that the one with controls is an appointment not to be missed, A priority for your health and not something to do only if you have time – concludes Dr. Segré. – The basic thought that often leads to avoid screening? ‘It is obvious that if I am looking for something, I find something’should instead think that, If something is there, there is regardless. And it is better to find it in time ».