Examine your breasts regularly
Regular breast exams allow for the detection of small changes and treatment of the disease in its early stages.
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, diagnosed in 20,000 women annually in Poland, and at first, it shows no symptoms.
Prevention is crucial
Examine your breasts regularly – you know them best and will notice any small changes. Self-examination, when done regularly, is the simplest way to detect changes. Perform it once a month, 3–5 days after your period ends, or on a set day if you are postmenopausal.
Early-detected breast cancer is treatable. If you notice any of the following:
- changes in the size or shape of the breast,
- lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm area,
- skin retraction on the breast, areola, or nipple,
- skin changes on the breast area.
Preventive program – mammography
Mammography uses X-rays to examine breast tissue. It is the most sensitive and safest test for breast cancer prevention.
Check if you qualify for the breast cancer screening program. Take advantage of it regularly if:
- you are a woman between 45 and 74 years old and meet one of the following criteria:
- you haven’t had a mammogram as part of a preventive health check in the last two years (consider your birth year when determining age),
- you have completed five years since surgical treatment for breast cancer and are undergoing adjuvant hormone therapy (HT) – a mammogram is recommended every 12 months,
- you have completed breast cancer treatment and the five-year monitoring process after treatment – a mammogram is recommended every 12 months.
Where you can get a mammogram
You can have a mammogram at a stationary medical facility or use a mobile mammography unit.
If you don’t qualify for the program, consult a gynecologist or oncologist and express your concerns. A specialist may recommend an ultrasound or mammogram and provide a referral.
Based on information from Pacjent.gov.pl