In the midst of Pink October, breast cancer awareness month, the municipality of Camboriu, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, is offering rapid mammography. To date, more than 170 women have passed the exam in the city.

According to INCA (National Cancer Institute), breast cancer is the cancer that kills the most women in Brazil. In 2021, the disease killed 11.7 patients per group of 100,000 women. The numbers are available on the INCA portal.

Mammography is important and can reduce breast cancer mortality by up to 60% – Photo: Freepik/Disclosure/ND

According to the City Hall of Camboriu, mammography is regulated by the State of Santa Catarina. Thus, the municipality is only responsible for the direction.

To be screened, women must first undergo a clinical breast examination at UBS (Basic Health Unit). After this, you will be referred for the procedure.

The documents required to book a mammogram are an official document with a photo, proof of residence and a national SUS card.

This procedure is carried out in the Regulatory Department, located in the Department of Health of Camboriu, at Rua Porto Alegre, number 698, in the Center. The mammography itself is carried out at the San Lucas clinics in Balneario Camboriu and Itajai, as well as at the Cosma clinic also in Balneario Camboriu.

Breast cancer killed the most women in 2021, according to INCA – Photo: Secom Camboriú/Reproduction/ND

How is mammography performed?

The exam is a type of breast x-ray performed with a device called a mammograph. To create the image, the patient remains standing while the equipment compresses the chest.

Mammography is widely used to screen for breast cancer, allowing signs of the disease to be visualized before they become palpable.

Camboriu’s health department said women over 40 should have the elective procedure every two years. However, depending on the individual situation, the need to perform it earlier and at different frequencies may vary.

Data from the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital shows that breast cancer is relatively rare in those under 35 years of age. However, after this age the incidence increases progressively, especially after 50 years.

Knowing your body and the changes that are considered suspicious is important for early detection of breast cancer. Photo: Divulgação/Agência Brasil/ND

Diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer

The disease can be recognized in the early stages, in most cases by some signs and symptoms. The main manifestation of the disease is a nodule, fixed and generally painless.

The Albert Einstein Hospital reports that “a nodule is present in approximately 90% of cases where the cancer is noticed by the woman herself.” On the other hand, patients may also have:

• Red breast skin that is indented or looks like an orange peel;
• Nipple changes;
• Small nodules in the armpits or neck;
• Abnormal leakage of fluid from the chest.

These signs and symptoms should always be investigated, but they may be associated with benign breast conditions. Therefore, knowing your body and the changes that are considered suspicious is important for early detection of breast cancer.

The recommendations are that from age 40, all women should have frequent mammogram screenings. – Photo: Pixabay/Disclosure/ND

In addition, the hospital newsletter reports that the treatment of diseases has undergone important changes recently. Treatment varies depending on the extent of the disease in the body and the patient’s condition, such as age, menopausal status, comorbidities and preferences.

“When the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment has greater curative potential,” the article emphasizes. Treatment methods for breast cancer can be divided into:

• Local treatment: surgery and radiation therapy (in addition to breast reconstruction).
• Systemic treatment: chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and biological therapy.

As for prevention, the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital makes it clear that this is not entirely possible due to the many factors that cause the disease.

Thus, “it is estimated that through diet, nutrition and physical activity, a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by up to 28%,” he emphasizes.

It is also important to control body weight and avoid obesity through physical activity and proper nutrition. Stopping the consumption of alcoholic beverages, as well as breastfeeding, are also factors that prevent the disease.