"Don't be angry, you will have breast nodules, and you are prone to breast cancer" - at present, similar views are prevalent on the Internet, and more and more women are concerned about breast health problems. Female breast cancer has now surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer incidence worldwide in 2020, and while breast cancer is not the cancer that causes the most deaths in women, it is one of the most common cancers in women, accounting for nearly a quarter of all cancer cases. "What causes breast cancer?"What are the symptoms of breast cancer?""Can I exercise after cancer?" and "What are the precautions in daily life if I have breast cancer?"Yuan Yuan, deputy chief physician of the Department of Medical Oncology of Jiangsu Provincial Cancer Hospital (Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), will answer the above questions one by one.
Is it easy to get angry with breast cancer?
Yuan Yuan said that breast cancer is not a single one, some patients with a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer are more likely to get sick, and early menarche or delayed natural menopause is also a major cause of cancer. In addition, studies have shown that late childbearing and infertility can also lead to an increased likelihood of breast cancer. In many breast cancer patients, it is found that long-term use of exogenous estrogen and long-term excessive alcohol consumption can lead to breast cancer. Yuan Yuan reminded everyone that in addition to maintaining a peaceful and comfortable mood in daily life, you also need to pay attention to whether you have a family history and your own menstrual conditions. In addition, if you have other medical conditions that require long-term use of exogenous estrogen, you must take it as prescribed. If you have a long-term drinking Xi, you also need regular physical examinations, pay attention to breast symptoms, and seek medical attention as soon as possible if you feel unwell.
Is breast tenderness breast cancer?
Many women will have chest swelling and pain before menstruation, and they will feel a hard lump when they touch it carefully. Yuan Yuan said that breast lumps or lump sensations are indeed one of the common symptoms of breast cancer, but palpable lumps or nodules inside the breast do not necessarily mean breast cancer, and it is best to check for breast lumps after menstruation. If you still experience such symptoms, you should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Breast cancer is sometimes accompanied by nipple discharge or bleeding, and once nipple discharge is found, especially with blood stains, it is necessary to pay close attention to seek medical attention in time to rule out cancer. In addition, if there is a change in the shape or size of the breast, abnormal shape, size, inverted nipples, or changes in appearance, such as orange peel, wrinkles, or redness, may be potential symptoms. Yuan Yuan reminded everyone that you can pay more attention to the external symptoms of the breast, and at the same time, you can also pay attention to the collarbone and armpit area, whether there will be symptoms such as swelling and pain, and you can conduct a self-examination of the breast every month.
What should I pay attention to in my daily life after cancer?
Yuan Yuan said that breast cancer patients who smoke at the time of diagnosis have a 2 times higher risk of death from breast cancer than non-smokers, and 4 times higher than the risk of death from non-breast cancer. In addition, available evidence has confirmed an association between ethanol intake and a variety of cancers (e.g., liver, pharyngeal, breast, and colorectal cancers), and patients diagnosed with cancer have an increased risk of developing a second primary cancer. Ethanol can increase the concentration of estrogen in the peripheral blood, which theoretically increases the risk of breast cancer**. Therefore, breast cancer patients should try to avoid alcohol intake.
In addition, many patients think that they need to recuperate after cancer, and there is nothing else for daily exercise except walking, Yuan Yuan said, in fact, patients should avoid a sedentary lifestyle after diagnosis, and resume daily physical activities before diagnosis as soon as possible, patients aged 18 to 64 should insist on at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week, that is, about two and a half hours, and the exercise time can be roughly divided into 5 times a week, 30 minutes of exercise each time. If you are doing high-intensity aerobic exercise, it is best to do about 75 minutes per week. Strength training (resistance exercises for large muscle groups) should be done at least twice a week in 10-minute increments, preferably every day. If you are an elderly patient over the age of 65, you should try to exercise according to the above recommendations.
What should I pay attention to in terms of diet after cancer?
For most cancer patients, diet is the most important thing in their daily life. Worry about whether the food is compatible with the medication you are taking, whether it will affect your body's recovery, etc. Distinguished by the three essential nutrients for the human body, Yuan Yuan listed a "dietary guideline" for all breast cancer patients.
In terms of protein intake, you can choose foods such as fish, lean meats, skinless poultry, eggs, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, nuts and legumes, which are high-quality proteins and provide unsaturated fatty acids. Soy products are rich in soy isoflavones, which have an estrogen-like effect, which can reduce the level of estrogen in the human blood and have the effect of preventing breast cancer. Soy products can be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
In terms of carbohydrate choice, Yuan Yuan recommends eating more foods rich in basic nutrients and dietary fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, while sugar and sugary drinks (soft drinks and fruit juice drinks) will increase the intake of energy in the diet, leading to weight gain, and should be limitedVegetables and fruits contain a lot of essential vitamins, minerals, bioactive phytochemicals and dietary fiber, which are low-energy-density foods that can help maintain a healthy weight. If you cannot consume fresh fruits, it is recommended to choose a juice drink with a clean ingredient list.
Yuan Yuan said that although the incidence of breast cancer is high, with the advancement of medical science and technology, early detection and ** have enabled many patients to have a better survival rate and quality of life. Learning the proper way to self-examine your breasts and having regular check-ups is key to preventing breast cancer by detecting possible lumps or other signs of abnormalities at an early stage. If you have breast cancer, you need to develop a healthy lifestyle, a good diet and moderate exercise in addition to the usual means in your daily care.
Correspondent: Jiang Wen, Yangtze Evening News, Purple Cow News reporter Yu Dandan.
Proofreading Tao Shangong.