After the mammogram without any examination, she felt sore all over her body and was surprised to find that cancer cells had metastasized "all over her body"
12 years later, cancer cells are “all over the body” after not having a mammogram
The incidence rate of breast cancer in Taiwan remains high. Not only does it rank first among female cancers, but it also occurs about ten years earlier than in European and American countries. Once the tumor grows too fast or metastasizes, breast cancer patients not only have to face the choice of “total mastectomy”, but the cancer may also silently metastasize to the bones throughout the body, increasing the risk of death.
Dr. Chen Shoudong, Chairman of the Taiwan Breast Medical Association, gave an example. A breast cancer patient was suspected to be positive after a mammogram and had microcalcifications, but no further examination was performed. Twelve years later, when she underwent a positron scan due to body soreness, she was surprised to see all the bones in her body. All have cancer cells that have metastasized. Remind women: If you have any doubts about breast cancer, you must actively receive further detailed diagnosis to avoid the silent spread and metastasis of cancer cells.
In this regard, the Taiwan Breast Medical Association calls on women to “prevent early screening and early treatment to retain the most happiness and return the breasts to themselves.” If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you can discuss with your doctor whether to perform preoperative adjuvant treatment to increase the chance of preserving the breast and evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant treatment early.
Preserve breasts and rely on yourself. Breast cancer famous doctors remind: Master the three key points
Dr. Chen Shoudong emphasized that in order to avoid breast cancer and retain breasts, women should master the three most critical points:
Regular screening, early screening and early treatment. Early-stage breast cancer and even carcinoma in situ can be cured. The 5-year survival rate can reach 97%. Above;
If there is a suspected positive result in the screening test, be sure to seek a confirmed diagnosis;
Based on the genotyping, you can discuss with your doctor whether you need to receive preoperative adjuvant treatment, which can help to know early the sensitivity and effectiveness of tumor cells to treatment.
Dr. Chen Shoudong pointed out that breast cancer can be divided into five categories based on the genetic expression of the specimen, including luminal A, luminal B, hormone-positive and HER2-positive, hormone-negative and HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer. The size of the tumor can be used to determine whether The effect of preoperative adjuvant treatment is better, especially for HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (tumor larger than 2cm).
Dr. Chen Shoudong said that preoperative adjuvant treatment has five major benefits for breast cancer patients. First, it can reduce the need for total mastectomy, and the tumor may be significantly reduced after preoperative adjuvant treatment; second, it can reduce the need for subaqueous lymphadenectomy; third, , to know the prognosis in advance; fourth, to know the drug response of the tumor to treatment; fifth, it can be used as an auxiliary reference treatment after surgery to extend and improve the disease-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the patient. .
The concept of “surgery first” is updated! Preoperative adjuvant therapy is expected to shrink tumors
As breast cancer treatment becomes more diversified and more precise, early preoperative adjuvant treatment is now available, changing the past concept of “surgery first”. For patients with larger tumors or high-risk lymphatic metastasis, there are opportunities before surgery. Shrink the tumor, reduce the stage of breast cancer, increase the safe distance of surgery, reduce the need for extensive resection or eliminate lymphadenectomy, and improve the chance of breast-conserving surgery and the quality of life.
Dr. Chen Shoudong said that for breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis, in addition to single-target drugs before surgery, there are also “dual-target treatments”. According to the latest 8-year foreign clinical trial data, dual-target preoperative treatment Adjuvant therapy can reduce the risk of recurrence or death by 23% in high-recurrence groups. In addition, for patients with high risk of lymph node metastasis in early-stage breast cancer, dual-target therapy can effectively reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death by 28%. , which is of great help to the prognosis.
Regular screening is still a top priority in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The Taiwan Health Promotion Administration currently provides women aged 45 to 69 and those aged 40 to 44 with family history to undergo mammography examinations every two years. People should be screened regularly. Only through examination can we get early screening and early treatment, and have the opportunity to preserve breasts and continue a beautiful life.
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