In October of this year, DOBROBUT, together with Avon, took an active part in a social project aimed at combating breast cancer. Our mammologists came to the offices of rated glossy publications and online resources with friendly lectures and performed breast ultrasound diagnostics right on the spot.
The social initiative, which took place under the hashtag "#WithGirlfriendsToMammologist", was timed to coincide with World Breast Cancer Day, which is celebrated annually on October 15. Representatives of rated glossy and online publications: hochu.ua, likar.info, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Burda group ("Lyza", "Otdohny", "Dobrye sovety", "Moy rebenok") were pleased to meet with mammologists of the Dobrobut Medical Network, Alexei Aksyonov and Igor Sorokin, and discussed such an important topic as breast cancer; talked about the causes, risk factors, prevention and diagnosis of the disease. And women also had the opportunity to examine their breasts on a portable ultrasound machine.
According to statistics provided by Avon, breast cancer is the most common disease among women in Ukraine. In 2015 alone, according to the National Cancer Registry, 13,642 cases of the disease were registered. The number of deaths from breast cancer last year reached 5,874. The highest number was in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. According to statistics, about 25% of tumors are detected at a late stage, and 40% of women after 40 years of age are not examined at all or are examined insufficiently and informatively. At the same time, breast cancer, if detected in a timely manner, is treated in 90% of cases.
The main proven risk factor for breast cancer is hereditary predisposition. Every hundredth patient with this diagnosis has six relatives with malignant tumors. Risk factors also include abortions, late childbirth, short or, conversely, long breastfeeding (more or less than one year), the use of oral contraceptives, hyperestrogenia (uterine pathology) and bad habits (alcohol, smoking).
Women from the risk group should register with a mammologist and undergo regular examinations from the age of 18.
Currently, there is only one means of preventing breast cancer - regular timely check-ups and screenings. The examination should be performed by a mammologist or a mammologist-oncologist, according to the following schedule:
- Once a year, a consultation with a mammologist and an ultrasound examination of the mammary glands are required;
- Preventive examination by a gynecologist;
- After 40 years, the examination also includes mammography (breast X-ray) once every two years.
Take care of the health of your breasts! If you are afraid to come to an appointment with a mammologist alone, you can invite your friends to undergo diagnostics with you. Breast examination is an important step towards the health of Ukrainian women.
