11 warnings about breast cancer that nobody does –

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Overweight, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and cigarette consumption, motherhood after the age of 30… The growth in cases of breast cancer – the second most common in Brazil, second only to skin cancer – has everything to do with our lifestyle . Of course, genetic inheritance is also to blame for the notary. Alone, however, it represents the minority of cases, as explained by Giselle Mello, medical manager at Fleury Medicina e Saúde, specializing in women’s health and mammography. She makes important alerts about the disease that will be diagnosed in 60,000 Brazilians this year alone, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Check out!

Only in 10% of cases breast cancer is hereditary. Breast cancer is the result of genetic mutation, which can be inherited (occurs in families with many cases of the disease) or spontaneous (related to chemical changes in the body and lifestyle). About 90% of women who develop this tumor do not have close relatives with the same problem. So we all have to stay tuned! Through early diagnosis, the chances of cure reach 95% of cases.

It is enough to be a few kilos overweight to enter the risk group. For every five-point increase in BMI (Body Mass Index), for example, the risk of the disease increases by 33%. The explanation for this is that fat also metabolizes estrogen, a hormone closely linked to the disease (it intensifies the speed at which mammary cells multiply, and in this process, abnormal cells may appear). A US study of women who gained 10 to 20 kilos in adulthood found that they had a 60% higher risk of breast cancer after menopause than those who gained little or no weight during this period. But it can be reversed: when a woman loses weight and manages to remain thin, even after menopause, the risk drops. The best thing, however, is to avoid the accordion effect and keep yourself dry, always!

Dense breasts inspire more care. Firmer breasts gain in aesthetics, but are at a disadvantage at the time of diagnosis. The density of the breast tissue can hinder the identification of the images: it is whitish, as well as the nodules. Fat, on the other hand, is characterized by dark areas. The good news: a new technology has emerged, called tomosynthesis, capable of elucidating an imprecise diagnosis even in young women with dense breasts.

Silicone does not cause cancer, but it can make diagnosis difficult. Therefore, the recommendation is that, in the mammogram, eight x-rays be taken — and not fouras is usual –, which makes the process longer and, truth be told, sore. Complementary exams, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, can also be requested.

Clinical examination should be done regularly by the doctor. According to the Brazilian Society of Mastology, mammography should be carried out annually from the age of 40 (for those who do not have a family history). The date is not random, of course – only 5% of cases happen before that age. This does not mean that it is free from periodic examinations. You should ask the gynecologist or mastologist to perform a clinical breast exam. Important: self-examination does not replace what is done in the office – it is only for self-knowledge. And also so that you quickly look for a specialist if you identify any changes.

Armpit lumps are also suspicious. It’s not just in the breast that clinical signs appear, the armpit region should be on the radar and any alteration can serve as a warning. But, as with the breast, a lump does not necessarily mean cancer. Most breast lumps are benign. Anyway, any change is reason enough for you to see your doctor quickly. The sooner a malignant tumor is discovered, the less aggressive the treatment will be and the greater the chance of cure.

Early menstruation and late motherhood are risk factors. Those who menstruate before the age of 12 or are a mother after the age of 30 are more likely to develop the disease. The same goes for women who are childless or have entered menopause late. In all these cases, the explanation is the same: greater exposure to estrogen, closely linked to breast cancer. On the other hand, being a mother before 30 and breastfeeding are protective factors.

Be careful in the clubs: alcohol, here, is 100% villainous. Although some benefits of drinking in modest doses have been found for some diseases (heart disease, for example), for breast cancer, there is nothing good. Just one drink a day increases the risk by between 15 and 20%. Drinking is even worse until your 20s, early 20s, when developing breast tissue is more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol. Those who are more vulnerable to the disease – cases in the family, history of being overweight, menstruating too early – should consider not drinking. That simple.

Keep stress under control. Our body has the power to detect and fight abnormal cells. The soldier in question is the P53 protein. But excess stress and lack of sleep impair her action. Result: defective cells multiply, generating cancer. The practice of physical activities is a powerful antidote against stress and helps to regulate sleep. Workout!

Bet on vitamins in natura. Antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E), folic acid and selenium are among the most investigated micronutrients in the preventive action against breast tumors. But it is worth mentioning the importance of consuming them fresh. This is because the vitamins in supplements are not always completely absorbed by the body. Some good sources: berries and citrus (antioxidants); spinach, lentils and beans (folic acid); Brazil nut, salmon and pumpkin seed (selenium).

Breast cancer is much more common after the age of 50, but the damage starts much earlier. The bad habits that are linked to the disease – overeating at the table, sedentary lifestyle, stress, drinking, smoking – affect health from the moment they are started. The organism “accumulates” these aggressions and one day, it charges the bill. In the case of cigarettes, for example, a recent Norwegian study of 300,000 women concluded that those who smoked in their youth, 10 years before their first pregnancy, had a 60% greater risk of breast cancer compared to those who never smoked. It is important for you to know that preventive measures, although fundamental, do not completely eliminate the risk of the disease. Even so, they are worth adopting. Anyone doubt?