In 2020, approx. 20 thousand Polish women heard the diagnosis: breast cancer. Despite the available diagnostic tests and better treatment methods, in Poland we have a growing trend of mortality from this cancer, unlike the rest of Europe. The prognosis is not optimistic, especially as breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in the world. How to recognize the disease at an early stage? What kind of research to do?
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Poland and in the world
- Every woman has 12 percent. risk of developing breast cancer. This means that one in eight women will develop this cancer at some point in their lives
- The simplest method of prophylaxis is regular breast self-examination
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Breast cancer in Poland and in the world
In early 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. Thus, it was ahead of lung cancer.
According to WHO estimates, every year breast cancer is diagnosed in 12 percent. women in the world. And how is it in Poland? Annually approx. 20 thousand women find out that he is ill. Currently, about 140 thousand people live with the disease. Polish women.
Doctors are most concerned about the fact that the number of deaths from breast cancer in our country is increasing. The situation is different in other European countries, where higher survival rates are noted.
– Only in Poland is the growing trend of mortality due to this cancer observed. This is a situation unheard of in other European countries. I do not know a country in Europe where such a phenomenon would take place – said Dr. Joanna Didkowska during the session of the parliamentary health committee.
Why is this happening? Experts have no illusions – prevention is limping. And it is thanks to regular examinations that disturbing changes can be detected at an early stage. It doesn’t take much – you just need to check your breasts every month. You also need to regularly check your health by performing breast ultrasound and mammography.
The next part is under the video:
Symptoms of breast cancer
Any change in the breast should be a warning sign. The most characteristic symptom of breast cancer is the tumor, but it can also be due to:
- changes in breast size and appearance,
- change in the color of the breast skin
- breast leakage
- changes in the appearance of the warts.
However, symptoms can also be more discreet and unusual. The development of the disease may be evidenced by, for example, warming of the breast skin or its itching.
If such complaints appear, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Who is most often affected by breast cancer? What tests should be performed? How to properly examine breasts at home? Details can be found in our infographic below:
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