Detecting it in time saves lives.
Every October 19 marks International Breast Cancer Day, and throughout the month, pink appears on buildings, ribbons and campaigns to remind us of something that seems simple but saves lives: detecting it in time completely changes history.
In our country it is the cancer that most affects women and the one that takes the most lives: more than 5,800 per year. And something that many people don't know is that most women who have it did not have anyone in their family with the disease. Therefore, even if it has never happened in your house, controlling yourself is just as important.
There are things we cannot choose, such as age or family heritage. But there are others that are in our hands. Moving little, being overweight, smoking, drinking too much alcohol and living with a lot of stress increase the chances of getting sick. It's not to be scared, it's to take care of yourself a little more.
What is breast cancer
It is a disease that occurs when certain cells in the breast tissue begin to multiply abnormally and form a malignant tumor. If not detected and treated in time, it can invade nearby tissues and spread to other organs.
Risk factors: which ones can we modify?
Age, personal and family history, and certain genetic alterations may increase the risk. Some lifestyle factors, such as excess weight, sedentary lifestyle and alcohol consumption, also play a role.
Adopting healthy habits and knowing your family history allows you to reduce some risks and define appropriate follow-up strategies. Having risk factors does not necessarily mean developing the disease, and their absence does not guarantee that it will not appear.
Early detection: don't wait until you have symptoms
Breast cancer can develop without causing discomfort in its early stages. Therefore, it is important to perform the indicated controls according to age, background and individual risk.
Clinical breast ● examination: allows the professional to evaluate the breasts and determine if additional studies are needed.
● Mammography: is the main early detection study in asymptomatic women with average risk. In Argentina, it is recommended to do it every one or two years between the ages of 50 and 69. At other ages or with particular risk factors, the professional will evaluate when to start and how often.
● Ecografía mamaria y resonancia magnética: se indican según las características de las mamas, los resultados de otros estudios y el riesgo individual; no reemplazan de manera universal a la mamografía.
● Evaluación genética: puede considerarse ante antecedentes familiares relevantes o sospecha de predisposición hereditaria.
Knowing your own breasts helps to recognize changes, but self-examination does not replace check-ups nor does it constitute in itself a method of early detection.
Consultá sin demora si notás un nodule in the breast or armpit, cambios en el tamaño o la forma de la mama, retracción del pezón, alteraciones persistentes de la piel o secreción espontánea, especialmente si es sanguinolenta. No esperes al próximo control programado. Pink October también es una oportunidad para revisar otros aspectos de la salud. Según la edad, los antecedentes y las indicaciones médicas, es importante considerar:
¿Para qué sirven el PAP y el test de VPH O HPV?
El cáncer de cuello uterino se relaciona principalmente con la infección persistente por ciertos tipos del Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH).
El PAP permite detectar alteraciones en las células del cuello del útero, mientras que el test de VPH identifica el virus asociado con un mayor riesgo de desarrollar estas lesiones. Ambos estudios ayudan a prevenir el cáncer mediante la detección y el tratamiento oportuno de lesiones precancerosas.
¿Cada cuánto realizarlos?
● PAP: se recomienda desde los 25 años. Si los dos primeros resultados son normales, puede repetirse cada 3 años.
● Test de VPH: desde los 30 años, cuando está disponible como método de detección. Si el resultado es negativo, puede repetirse cada 5 años.
Vaccination against HPV is also essential to prevent this disease. Remember that an abnormal result does not necessarily mean that cancer exists and that the frequency of checkups may vary depending on history and medical indications.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: controlar la presión arterial, la glucemia y el perfil lipídico ayuda a detectar factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y diabetes.
Bone health:evaluar los factores de riesgo de osteoporosis y considerar una densitometría cuando corresponda, especialmente después de la menopausia.
Comprehensive gynecological health: conversar sobre el ciclo menstrual, la menopausia, la salud sexual, la anticoncepción y cualquier síntoma persistente.
No todas las mujeres necesitan los mismos estudios ni con la misma frecuencia. La consulta médica permite elaborar un plan preventivo personalizado y evitar tanto la falta de controles necesarios como los estudios innecesarios.
Nutrición y hábitos saludables: aliados de la prevención
La alimentación no puede garantizar que una persona no desarrolle cáncer, pero junto con otros hábitos saludables contribuye a reducir el riesgo de algunas enfermedades y a mejorar la calidad de vida.
● Prioriza alimentos frescos y variados: verduras, frutas, legumbres, cereales integrales, frutos secos y semillas aportan fibra y nutrientes esenciales.
● Mantené un peso saludable: especialmente después de la menopausia, el exceso de tejido adiposo se relaciona con un mayor riesgo de cáncer de mama.
● Limitá el alcohol: incluso cantidades bajas se asocian con un aumento del riesgo de cáncer de mama. Lo más recomendable para prevenirlo es evitar su consumo.
● Movete regularmente: procurá al menos 150 minutos semanales de actividad física moderada, complementados con ejercicios de fuerza adaptados a tus posibilidades.
● Evitá el tabaco y moderá los ultraprocesados: priorizar una alimentación de buena calidad favorece la salud metabólica y cardiovascular.
The most important thing is to know your body. If you find a lump in your chest or armpit, if you notice distinct, red or sunken skin, if your nipple changes, you have pain or fluid comes out, or if you see that your chest has changed shape or size, you should see a professional. It is almost always nothing serious, but it is best to prevent it.
The best way to take care of yourself is to find it on time, so touching and checking yourself every now and then helps you realize if something has changed, but it's not enough: you also have to go to the gynecologist once a year and have the studies that you ask for.
From the age of 50, it is ideal to have a mammogram every two years, and if there are cases in your family, it is advisable to start earlier. And in everyday life, walking, eating healthy and not smoking also help a lot.
Aprovechamos este mes para recordarte que dedicar tiempo a los controles es una forma de cuidarte hoy y a futuro. Agendá una consulta, revisá tus estudios pendientes y conversá con tu médico sobre las medidas de prevención que
corresponden a tu edad y situación particular.
If you have been postponing that shift, this October is the perfect excuse to take it out. And if you know someone who has also been leaving it for later, share these lines.
Taking care of each other is also part of the fight.
Equipo Médico de La Posada del Qenti
