“Breast cancer” is considered the number 1 threat for Thai women, including the most common among women around the world, Department of Medicine by the National Cancer Institute. It has been issued a recommendation to have a regular breast self-examination every month. and observe abnormalities such as the size or shape of the breast that has changed from the original It is a wound and there may be lymph or blood-like fluid or a rash around the nipple, which, if seen by a doctor in the early stages, can be completely cured.
Dr. Somsak Ankasil, Director-General of the Medical Department, explained that “the danger of breast cancer” is a major public health problem in all countries around the world. Information from the World Health Organization. It reports that there are now approximately 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer worldwide, with approximately 685,000 deaths per year.
for Thailand Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Thai women. According to the data in 2020, there are approximately 18,000 new cases of breast cancer in Thai women per year or 49 per day, and approximately 4,800 or 13 deaths from breast cancer. per day
However, the trend of disease incidence continues to increase. It is estimated that by 2023 there will be approximately 22,000 new breast cancer cases per year.
“The cause of breast cancer is still unknown. But it was found that there were more risk factors for disease caused by lifestyle behaviors such as eating a high-fat diet. Lack of exercise and alcohol consumption, including some uncontrollable factors such as genetic disorders. and getting older, etc.,” said Dr. Somsak.
Dr. Chayanut Rattadilok, a specialist in breast surgery The National Cancer Institute added that breast cancer is caused by abnormal tissue in the breast that transforms into cancer cells. May spread to nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. which breast cancer can be found in both females and males But found in males at a very low rate.
However, older women are also at increased risk of breast cancer. Especially aged over 40 years or groups with a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, with breast cancer patients in the early stages may not show symptoms and often come to the doctor by finding a lump in the breast or armpit area.
for other symptoms May be observed from the size or shape of the breast that has changed from the original Ulcers and may have mucus or blood-like fluid or a rash around the nipple.
Dr. Chayanut explained further that There are many ways to treat breast cancer, such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. Treatment with targeted drugs and hormones or a doctor may use a combination of treatment methods at the discretion of the medical team and the stage of the disease. Health and patient needs Although breast cancer is a disease that can happen to every woman. But it is a cancer that has a chance of being cured if detected early.
“We can do monthly breast self-screening. Visit a doctor or nurse from time to time. Those in the high-risk group should undergo an ultrasound along with a mammogram, especially those who have a close relative with breast cancer,” said Dr. Chayanut.