According to data released by the WHO, the incidence of breast cancer is unfortunately increasing in absolute value, due to the lengthening of the average life expectancy. In recent years, however, mortality rates 5 years after surgery have significantly decreased: early diagnosis and progress in surgical techniques make it possible to treat this disease with excellent recovery rates and increasingly satisfying results. “The time factor is crucial in the field of oncology: a timely diagnosis allows to positively condition the therapeutic treatment in a conservative and aesthetic sense, with considerable benefits for the patients”, says Dr. Chiara Pistolese, University of Rome Aggregate Professor Tor Vergata, Head of the Breast Interventional Operational Unit at the Tor Vergata General Hospital and the Breast Section of the Villa Mafalda Nursing Home in Rome.
Dr. Pistolese, why is prevention so important in the oncology field today?
In reality, in the field of breast cancer, there is no real primary prevention since, as for now, risk factors are not recognized as for other oncological pathologies, the only type of prevention is secondary prevention or early diagnosis. Identifying a lesion when it is still very small is the only weapon in our possession to “win this battle” and thus affect the mortality rate linked to this disease. Today, thanks to the latest generation of equipment and highly qualified specialists, it is possible to detect very small tumor lesions.
Which exams are important for a proper and timely diagnosis?
The diagnosis makes use of conventional tests such as the Mammography (Tomosynthesis) always associated with Ultrasound to be performed once a year for women aged 40 and over and a clinical examination that specifically guides these investigations. In case of doubtful injuries, it is possible to complete the diagnostic procedure by performing second-level examinations, such as Magnetic Resonance, and any cytological and / or histological characterization of suspicious lesions under instrumental guidance, chosen by the specialist on the basis of the examination that better identifies the lesion. However, it is essential to contact specialized centers for the diagnosis and treatment of mammary pathology, which stand out for the high quality, reliability and completeness of the services offered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals able to provide timely management of the entire pathway, from diagnosis to therapy, allowing the woman a speedy recovery and a decisive return to family, social and work life.
For more info: villamafalda.com chiarapistolese@gmail
