EARLY SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women over 35 years of age and the leading cause of death in women. The cause of breast cancer is not clearly understood, however, some risk factors have been identified, of which genetic factors play an important role in 10% of breast cancer cases. Breast cancer screening is extremely important, helping to detect early and treat effectively. Which screening method to use depends on your risk group and age.

Breast cancer in its early stages often has no symptoms. As the breast tumor grows, it may cause the following symptoms:

- Breast swelling and deformation.

- Skin irritation in the breast or underarm area.

- Hard lump appears in the breast.

- Breast changes in size or shape.

- The areola or nipple changes color or becomes wrinkled or scaly.

- Breast discharge, inversion or pain.

=>You need to see a doctor immediately!

GENERAL RISK GROUPS:

- Women > 35 years old

- Obesity.

- Drink alcohol.

- Smoking.

- Early onset of menstrual cycle, late menopause.

- First child after age 35 or never had children.

- Use replacement hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to treat menopausal symptoms.

Need to follow:

- Breast self-examination.

- Clinical breast examination every 6-12 months.

- Breast ultrasound and FNA when there are suspicious signs.

- Mammogram once a year for women over 40 years old.

HIGH RISK GROUPS:

- Had cancer: ovarian, peritoneal, fallopian tube, breast.

- Family history (mother, sister or daughter) of breast cancer.

- Gene mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2) *

- History of chest radiotherapy.

Need to follow:

- Clinical breast examination every 6-12 months starting 10 years before the youngest family member has the disease but not before age 30 for mammography and not before age 25 for MRI.

- Mammogram screening every year, MRI every year (MRI performed 6 months after mammogram).

- Breast ultrasound is helpful if MRI cannot be performed.

- Do FNA when there are signs of suspicion.

* IF YOU HAVE HIGH RISK FACTORS BUT DO NOT KNOW YOU HAVE BRCA1 AND BRCA2 GENETIC MUTATIONS:

- Many family members have had breast or ovarian cancer, especially if they were diagnosed before age 50. Blood relatives such as mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and also men have had breast cancer.

- A family member has had both breast and ovarian cancer.

- More than one generation with breast or ovarian cancer (eg grandmother, mother, sister).

At that time, you should go for a test to examine the BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 gene mutations at the Center for Molecular Biology of Dai Phuoc clinic, performed by Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Anh Vu - Head of the Department of Molecular Biomedicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

If the gene test is positive, the risk of breast and ovarian cancer increases significantly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dai Phuoc General Clinic is a clinic that detects early risks of breast cancer and monitors treatment.

Pathology Center - Cytology with modern equipment, FNA biopsy results will be read by leading Pathology experts:

- Associate Professor, Doctor Ngo Quoc Dat, Deputy Dean of Medicine Faculty, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City.

- Dr. Dang Pham Anh Thu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City.

FNA (Fine Needle Biopsy) breast, thyroid, lymph nodes for cancer screening

Customers will be consulted and monitored for treatment at Dai Phuoc clinic by ThS.BS. Nguyen Do Thuy Giang, an experienced specialist from Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, to have the most appropriate monitoring and treatment direction.