Mammography warning for early diagnosis in breast cancer screenings
Prof. Dr. Ebru Menekşe stated that early diagnosis in breast cancer saves lives and emphasized that women over the age of forty should undergo regular screenings.
General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebru Menekşe issued important warnings against breast cancer, which is among the most common types in women. The expert stated that it is essential for women over forty to have a mammogram once a year in order to detect diseases that do not yet show symptoms in the early stages.
Importance of early diagnosis and screening
General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebru Menekşe stated that the main purpose of screening studies in breast cancer is to catch disorders that do not yet show symptoms at an earlier stage.
Experts state that women over forty having a mammogram screening once a year is of great vital importance in terms of early diagnosis.
Risk factors and family history
It was reported that the evaluation of breast cancer risk should consider the person's age, personal characteristics, family history, and genetic makeup together.
It was emphasized that having a history of cancer at a young age in the family may require genetic evaluation, but the absence of a family history does not completely eliminate the risk.
Genetic predisposition and genes
It is known that the risk of breast cancer can increase significantly in some women due to genetic reasons.
It was stated that pathogenic changes in genes such as PALB2, TP53, PTEN, ATM, and CHEK2, as well as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, may be associated with cancer risk.
Symptoms to pay attention to
It was noted that a newly emerging and particularly increasingly prominent lump in the breast must be evaluated in detail.
It was said that shape changes, retraction in the skin, bloody nipple discharge, or a newly emerging swelling in the armpit should be taken into account.
Difference between mammography and ultrasound
It was stated that mammography is an extremely valuable screening method in showing small calcifications and early changes.
It was reported that ultrasound is not a direct alternative to mammography and is preferred as a complementary method, especially in young women.
Misconceptions about mammography
It was explained that the common belief that mammography disperses tumor tissue has no scientific basis.
It was stated that the compression during the procedure increases image quality, allowing small findings to be seen much more clearly.