Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2020 alone, this disease is estimated to have caused 10 million deaths. Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the population. In Portugal, for example, an average of 7,000 new cases appear per year. However, globally, 2.26 million people are diagnosed with this disease each year, and although women are substantially more affected, the truth is that 1% of all diagnosed breast cancers are detected in males.
The devastating impact that is inherent to this disease highlights, therefore, the enormous importance of debating it and creating a space for sharing experiences and information that allow us to be more alert. Both patients and their families see their lives change radically when diagnosed with cancer. Often, fear takes hold of hope and anguish takes away the strength to win. For women, this step is particularly disturbing. This is because breast cancer not only affects their femininity, it also compromises their image management.
It was in the 1990s that the “Pink October” movement emerged in the United States, with the aim of sensitizing the population to the importance of prevention and timely diagnosis of breast cancer. Since then, this month has become the international month for prevention against this disease. As such, this article is intended to provide some information about it and to cover some of the main difficulties that patients face during the treatment processes they face, such as chemo or radiotherapy.
Any change detected in the breast or nipple should be reason enough to schedule a medical appointment because, sometimes, the main symptoms of breast cancer are reflected in the appearance of visible physical changes, such as:
Detecting these anomalies is often possible if we spend some of our time looking at, getting to know, and caring for what is our greatest asset: our body. That is why performing a breast self-examination is essential for an early diagnosis of the disease.
But when and how should it be done?
Breast self-examination should be done every month, preferably a week after menstruation, in order to avoid the time when there is greater and natural breast tension, which can result in increased volume, accumulation of fluids, and/or appearance of bulges in the breast.
As such, 5 minutes a month is enough to notice if your breast appears to be normal or if, on the other hand, it has an abnormality. Breast self-examination is essentially divided into two parts: the first consists of observing the shape, symmetry, color, and texture of the breast and must be performed standing up in front of a mirror, and the second is based on palpation. In this last step, which can be done either standing or lying on your back, it is recommended that you place your arm on the side of the breast that you are going to examine under your head. Thus, in this position, the other hand will be free to start palpation, making circular movements that travel across the breast and armpit (a process that must be performed on both breasts).
It is important to reiterate that this method of “screening” must be carried out by all women. Generally, for ages between 20 and 39 years, it is expected that every three years, there will also be a clinical examination by a health professional. On the other hand, mammograms are, as a rule, requested from the age of 40 and must be performed every two years. However, for women over 50 years of age, it is expected that this examination will take place annually. Other common techniques for diagnosing breast diseases are, for example, ultrasounds, magnetic resonances, and biopsies.
The Portuguese League Against Cancer is a civil society organization that stands out for its breast cancer screenings throughout the country. These screenings are extremely important so that possible tumors are detected at very early stages, in which, sometimes, they are not yet palpable. This allows selected treatments to be less invasive and mutilating. Thus, and according to information provided by the Portuguese League Against Cancer, these screening programs currently begin with the sending of invitation letters to women of traceable age (50-69), who are registered in their Health Centres, and consist of a free radiological exam (mammography), so that any woman can have access to this type of exam.
Only those who suffer or have already suffered from breast cancer really know the difficult journey that has to be made from the moment of diagnosis to the tumor's remission. Breast cancer treatments can be local (surgery or radiotherapy) or systemic (chemotherapy), but they are generally associated with numerous side effects. Some of the most common are nausea, vomiting, fainting, tiredness, stomachache, and headache. All of them can be alleviated, resorting to taking drugs. In many situations, an off-label prescription is even resorted to, which consists of using medicines for situations that are different from those usually recommended for them. But these mechanisms are not always effective enough to alleviate the suffering of these patients...
Unfortunately, there are many other side effects that add to the above and that, likewise, cause a lot of discomfort to those affected by them. In this context, hair loss stands out. The loss of hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes represents a huge challenge and brings great emotional suffering to women. There are those who assume and face the problem without any complexes, there are those who take refuge in makeup and the use of wigs to feel better. And all approaches are right, valid, and an example of strength, determination, and courage. And the truth is that there are already many product options whose formulations suit the needs of cancer patients. In the case of moisturizing care, sun protection, and make-up, the Toleriane range from La Roche-Posay is an excellent example.
Like the hair, the nails also undergo changes, becoming thinner and more brittle and, in some cases, also darker. Therefore, it may be important to use a nail strengthener with active ingredients that can moisturize and protect the nail and provide it with the necessary constituents to maintain its structure (for example, keratin and silicon).
The skin is another organ that is affected by cancer treatments. It often becomes more dehydrated and sometimes peels. Wearing 100% cotton clothing and moisturizing the skin with proper care is, without a doubt, essential. ISDIN has specific products to keep the skin healthy after radiotherapy treatments, such as Ureadin RxRd, consisting of active ingredients that prevent the signs of skin toxicity associated with radiotherapy (redness, peeling, itching, and dryness) and that stimulate physiological mechanisms of skin regeneration.
But if there are those who only experience effects on a physical level, there are those who also suffer from a constant feeling of cold, especially in the extremities of the hands and feet, and who, in turn, witness a change in the intensity of the flavors, starting to feel the sweet, sour, salty or bitter in a more pronounced and, consequently, unpleasant way. In these cases, the use of mouth sprays or mouthwash turns out to be frequent, as it temporarily contributes to the relief of this feeling of discomfort. Finally, xerostomia also affects a large proportion of people with cancer undergoing treatment. This constant sensation of dry mouth leads patients to resort to lubricating sprays on the oral mucosa, as is the case with the well-known Elgydium Clinic Xeroleave.
It is through the daily contact that we establish with patients that we become aware of the main difficulties they face. And, as such, it is based on the empirical experience that we are acquiring as health professionals, that we report some of the adverse effects most reported by patients.
Going through this long journey of health is a very difficult path because it is a process of absolute transformation. It changes everything: the body and the mind. It changes the way we look at life, how we value it and how we relate to others. It changes the way we respect and care for our bodies, and the importance we give to each moment also changes, because it brings us a certain awareness of its ephemerality.
There are more and more mechanisms to stop this disease. It is possible to beat cancer and, as we know, early diagnoses open the door to very favorable prognoses. And why leave for tomorrow what we can actually detect today?
Touch your body. Get to know each other. Give each other time.
May this pink month serve to remind us that, for all of us, it's still too early to be too late!
Dr. Andreia Moreira
