Breast Cancer
Understanding the causes, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of breast cancer can improve survival rates.
Breast cancer (also known as breast cancer) is the third leading cause of cancer among women in Hong Kong and the most common tumor among female cancers. The causes of breast cancer are related to lifestyle habits, fertility factors, personal medical history and family history. Breast cancer usually has no symptoms until the tumor becomes visibly thicker and thicker. Regular examinations can effectively prevent the symptoms of breast cancer from being detected early and receive immediate diagnosis and treatment. The survival rate of patients is quite high.
It is estimated that 1 in every 14 women in Hong Kong will have the chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Like other cancers, it is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells, which destroys healthy tissue in the body and spreads to other organs. Breast cancer can invade breast tissue and spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit, as well as to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, liver, and even the brain, thereby impairing the function of the affected organs and threatening the patient's life. However, early detection of symptoms and treatment can not only reduce medical expenses but also prevent unnecessary treatments and their adverse effects on both physical and mental health.
Survival Rate of Breast Cancer
According to analysis by the Hong Kong Cancer Statistics Center, as of 2019, the survival statistics of patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2017 show that compared with the general population, 84.0% of breast cancer patients can survive for more than five years.
99.3%
First-phase five-year survival rate
94.6%
Second period five-year survival rate
76.2%
Phase III five-year survival rate
29.8%
Phase IV five-year survival rate
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Breast lumps: changes in shape or size
- Breast skin changes or deformities: Thickened or scaly skin
- Nipples in sunken position or with ‘orange peel skin’
- Discharge of fluid or bleeding from nipples
- Swollen armpits or lymph nodes
- Breast pain
Women may occasionally feel swelling or pain in their breasts, or hard lumps in their nipples due to the hormone changes during menstruation or early pregnancy, which are normal physiological reactions. Breast cancer is usually asymptomatic when the tumor is small and curable, and it is only noticeable when the tumor has grown into a significant lump and proliferated. Patients with suspicious symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant. However, most breast lumps, such as hygroma or benign fibroma, are benign and harmless to the body. Causes of Breast Cancer
Causes of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is closely related to certain high-risk factors and increases the chance of developing breast cancer
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Living habits
- Lack of exercise
- Stressful
- Frequently eat high-fat foods and red meat
- Often work night shifts
- Smoking and drinking
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Fertility Factors
- Never breastfed
- Never been pregnant
- Getting pregnant for the first time after the age of thirty-five
- First menstruation before the age of twelve
- Menopause after age 55
- Ever received hormone replacement therapy
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Personal medical records
- Excessive obesity
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- A family member or individual has had breast cancer
- Had a breast biopsy
- Had an injection and found abnormal cells
- Breast lobular carcinoma in situ
- Intraductal papillomatosis
Breast Cancer Screening
Self-examination
It is recommended that women over the age of 20 perform regular breast self-examinations every month to familiarize themselves with the condition of their breasts and pay attention to abnormal changes. Women of childbearing age can undergo examination 2-3 days after their menstrual period. Women who have amenorrhea can check on the first day of each month to facilitate memory.
You can observe whether the breast skin is uneven, red, or have other color changes, and whether the nipples are abnormal, have changes in shape and color, bleed, or leak foreign matter.
Procedures of self-examination:
- Stand in front of a mirror, take off your clothes and raise your arms over your head to look for any abnormalities in the breasts.
- Gently massage the inner side of your breasts in circling movements to check for any lumps.
- Repeat the procedure on the outer side of your breasts.
- Examine the area between the breasts and the armpits for any lumps.
- Gently squeeze the nipples and look for any discharge of fluid or blood.
Clinical examination
Based on their age and family history, regular breast examinations, including clinical examinations, observation and palpation by professional medical staff, can more effectively identify breast diseases.
Breast Cancer Assessment
After reviewing the medical history, the doctor will first examine the lymph nodes in the breasts, armpits, and neck to detect any swelling, pain or other abnormalities. The doctor will then conduct a series of tests to make proper suggestions based on the patient’s age, symptoms, clinical findings and the risk of having breast cancer.
Preliminary Tests
- Blood Test:If the blood sample contains a chemical substance which are necessary for the growth of cancer cells, it may indicate the presence of cancer cells in the body.
- Cancer Radiation Assessment：Radiographic test can effectively detect early-stage breast cancer with no tumor or impalpable tumor. Your breast will be placed on an X-ray scanner. The plastic sheets of the machine will move vertically and horizontally to fasten the breast to take a mammogram of the breast tissues.
- Breast Ultrasound Scan:Ultrasound scan is a safe and painless screening procedure. A probe will emit high-frequency sound waves to the breast tissues, and then collects the sounds that bounce back. The sound waves will be converted into images to examine the condition inside the breast. It is also used to assist radiography in identifying whether the lump is a hard mass or a cyst.
Pathology tests
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy:A thin needle is inserted into the breast to withdraw tissues for laboratory tests. If a benign cyst is identified during the ultrasound scan, the fluid in the cyst can also be removed using FNA.
- Core Needle Biopsy (CNB)Similar to the principle of fine needle aspiration, this method uses a thicker needle that can collect enough tissue for cellular examination, providing higher accuracy. If cancer cells are found after the biopsy, hormone receptor testing and HER2 receptor testing must be conducted to determine the appropriate treatment method.
Doctors may recommend further tests to determine the location, size, and extent of the tumor, assisting doctors in staging breast cancer and determining the appropriate treatment method for the patient.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment methods can be divided into two categories: radiation diagnosis and treatment and drug diagnosis and treatment.
- Radiology
Radiation therapy, also known as electrotherapy, uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It is available Radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. After surgical procedures, radiotherapy can be used to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the body, reducing the chance of recurrence. Additionally, when breast cancer reaches an advanced stage and the tumor becomes excessively large, causing significant blood vessel growth and bleeding, radiotherapy can serve as a palliative treatment, particularly effective for controlling bleeding.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, also known as ‘Chemotherapy, primarily involves the intravenous injection of cytotoxic drugs, which are transported through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells. In the past, chemotherapy for breast cancer was used in early-stage cases as adjuvant therapy after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. In recent years, it has been found that some breast cancer patients, especially those with the HER2 gene gene and triple-negative breast cancer, can undergo chemotherapy (with targeted therapy if they have the HER2 gene) before surgery to shrink the tumor, making the surgical procedure easier and potentially allowing for breast conservation.
- Hormonal Therapy
It is intended to inhibit estrogen, thereby preventing the growth of cancer cells. Take hormone therapy drugs to inhibit hormone production and prevent hormones from attaching to cancer cells. Patients can also choose to use radiation therapy to interrupt estrogen secretion. Without estrogen, cancer cells will be less likely to relapse.
- Targeted Therapy
This targets specific genes involved in cancer cell growth, blocking their development and repair. HER2-targeted drugshave been used as early as 2000. They are generally used for late-stage breast cancer to control tumor growth, or for early-stage breast cancer as auxiliary diagnosis and treatment after treatment. In recent years, it has been found that patients with the HER2 gene can shrink tumors by adding targeted drugs to chemotherapy before treatment, and then have the opportunity to retain breasts.
In addition, for advanced HER2-type breast cancer, there is a new generation of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which are chemotherapy drugs that can recognize the HER2 receptor. The entire drug can accurately attach to HER2 cancer cells. Only when the drug enters the nucleus of the cell can it release high-dose chemotherapy drugs for precise diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing side effects on healthy cells.
Breast cancer protection
There is currently no definitive way to prevent breast cancer, but scientific research has confirmed that paying attention to some important factors related to breast cancer can reduce the risk of developing and recurring breast cancer.
Healthy Lifestyle
Relieve stress, exercise moderately, refrain from smoking
Weight control
Maintain a healthy diet, drink less alcohol, consume less saturated animal fat and more vegetables
Regular women’s health checks
Prevent problems before they occur, detect diseases early and understand abnormal body functions
Breast Cancer FAQ
Researchers have long been studying the possible link between hair dyes and cancer, but the results have been inconsistent. A recent study published in 2019 by the National Institutes of Health suggests that the risk of having breast cancer increases with the more frequent use of chemical hair care products. The study found that women who used permanent hair dyes and chemical hair straightening products had a higher risk of having breast cancer than women who did not.
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
After undergoing various treatments, breast cancer patients need regular follow-up visits and examinations to allow doctors to understand their recovery progress. If symptoms such as persistent bone pain, shortness of breath, or limb numbness persist, medical attention should be sought immediately. In addition, patients should perform simple arm exercises as instructed by their doctor to maintain joint flexibility and reduce swelling, but should avoid lifting heavy objects to prevent arm injury and slow down the recovery process.
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