Breast cancer: most effective dietary supplements

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in breast tissue. This disease can affect the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (lobular carcinoma), which are the parts of the breast that produce and transport milk.

Epidemiology

Breast cancer is the most common cancer site among women worldwide, with incidences ranging from 27 to 94 per 100,000 women depending on the region. In France, incidence is among the highest in Europe. Despite a decline in incidence in some countries since 2000–2005, mainly attributed to reduced use of menopausal hormone therapy, breast cancer remains a major public health concern.

Risk factors

Risk factors for breast cancer include: • Endogenous hormonal factors: early age at menarche, late menopause. • Exogenous hormonal factors: use of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy. • Reproductive factors: multiparity, early age at first childbirth, breastfeeding. • Genetic and familial factors: family history of breast cancer, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. • Environmental and lifestyle factors: obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, exposure to radiation.

Symptoms

The symptoms of breast cancer may include: • A lump or thickening in the breast or under the armpit. • Changes in the size or shape of the breast. • Changes to the skin of the breast, such as redness or cracking. • Nipple discharge that may be mixed with blood. • Persistent pain in part of the breast.

Screening

Breast cancer screening is mainly performed by mammography, recommended every two years for women aged 50 to 74 in France. This screening aims to detect the disease at an early stage, allowing for less aggressive and more effective treatment. However, there is controversy surrounding the risks of overdiagnosis and false positives.

Treatment

The treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage of the disease and may include: • Surgery: lumpectomy or mastectomy. • Radiation therapy: often combined with surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. • Chemotherapy: used to treat advanced cancers or to reduce tumor size before surgery. • Targeted therapies: such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancers. • Hormone therapy: for hormone-dependent cancers, using medications to block the action of hormones.

Prognosis

The prognosis for breast cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis. In France, 5-year survival is about 88%, with variations by age and cancer type. Advances in screening and treatment have helped improve survival rates over recent decades.