Paula Sungailė

The mammologist doctor states that the risk factors for the development of breast diseases are constantly being researched, and the disease can be caused by many different reasons.

“The risk of developing breast cancer increases significantly with age, and this diagnosis is most often heard by women over 40, but cases are also identified in younger patients, especially if the women have at least one first-degree relative with breast cancer – grandmother, mother, or sister. In such cases, the risk of developing the disease themselves increases from 2 to 4 times, and for those with BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 gene mutations, the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer increases up to 80%.”

Endogenous female hormones (estrogen, estradiol), early menstrual cycle, late menopause (55 years and older), and exposure to ionizing radiation in the breast area before 30 due to certain diseases can also influence the development of breast cancer. Excess iron in the blood can also have a carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic effect on the functioning of the body's cells.

Studies show that an ovary removal operation can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 75%.

According to P. Sungailė, preventive breast examinations allow the detection of breast cancer at an early stage, timely initiation of treatment, and improvement of survival rates.

“Mammography is an X-ray examination, the most important imaging diagnostic method for breast diseases, recommended for older women. During a mammography examination, it is possible to distinguish the main changes: formations, breast parenchyma deformations, asymmetric parenchyma density changes, calcifications. Then the doctor evaluates the changes, their shape and location, and decides whether the symptoms are typical of benign or malignant diseases,” explains the mammologist.