About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women: approximately 5 000 women and about thirty men are diagnosed each year. Breast cancer is not the same for everyone – diagnosis and treatments are individual. In Finland, medical care for breast cancer is of a very high standard, and 91% of those diagnosed with breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer?
Stay calm – you are in good hands. Treatments are effective, and the prognosis continues to improve thanks to early detection and advances in treatment methods. Prognosis is influenced by many factors, such as age, general health, the type of cancer, and the extent of its spread.
Breast cancer is not a single disease but has many different forms. Some types are aggressive, while others may not pose a danger for decades. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of breast cancer and your own breasts so that you can recognize any changes. Suspicious changes should always be examined to determine whether they are benign, such as a cyst or lipoma, or breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Once a breast cancer diagnosis has been confirmed, the course of treatment usually begins and can be demanding. Treatments are planned individually based on the size, type, and spread of the cancer.
Treatment most often begins with surgery, followed, if necessary, by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy.
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The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove all cancerous tissue from the breast and the axillary (underarm) area. The surgeon prepares a surgical plan and discusses the options with the patient. Today, efforts are made to use increasingly conservative surgical techniques.
Before surgery, it is determined whether there are signs that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the axilla. If ultrasound does not provide a clear answer, sentinel lymph nodes are examined during surgery. If only a micrometastasis of up to 2 mm is found in the sentinel lymph nodes, routine axillary clearance is no longer recommended. Methods that spare the axilla reduce the risk of lymphedema, which is often caused by the removal of lymph nodes.
Sometimes treatment may begin with chemotherapy, with surgery performed afterward. This is called neoadjuvant treatment. It is used especially for patients whose cancer has spread locally in the breast or axillary area, or who have inflammatory breast cancer. If the tumor is very large, it may first be reduced with chemotherapy to enable surgery.
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Chemotherapy prevents the growth and division of cancer cells. After the tumor has been surgically removed, it is not possible to be certain whether individual cancer cells remain in the body. Therefore, chemotherapy is planned based on the type and aggressiveness of the cancer. If it is considered beneficial, chemotherapy is used to reduce the risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy also affects healthy cells, which causes side effects such as fatigue and hair loss. Side effects can be treated and vary greatly between individuals.
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Radiotherapy aims to destroy cancer cells that may remain in the surgical area or in nearby lymph nodes. It is particularly effective against dividing cells, which are more common in tumors. Radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence.
After breast removal, radiotherapy is given if the tumor was large or if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The radiation is then directed to the chest wall and nearby lymph node areas, including the axilla on the operated side, as well as lymph nodes near the collarbone and breastbone.
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Most women with breast cancer are prescribed hormonal therapy as adjuvant treatment, as three-quarters of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive. In these cancers, estrogen and/or progesterone stimulate cancer cell growth. The proportion of hormone receptor–positive cells in tumors can vary widely: from nearly all cells to clearly less than half.
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A breast prosthesis is an aid used in medical rehabilitation and in Finland it should be provided free of charge after surgery. It is an important part of rehabilitation and helps maintain body balance. A prosthesis may also be needed after partial breast surgery or reconstruction.
A new prosthesis should generally be provided about every two years, and also if the current one breaks or no longer fits due to weight changes. The treating physician issues the payment authorization. A suitable time for fitting a prosthesis is about one month after surgery.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It is currently considered incurable, but treatments can slow or halt its progression for years. The course of the disease and survival vary greatly from person to person.
Thanks to effective treatments, some people live a long time with a good quality of life, while in others the disease progresses more quickly. Your doctor can best explain the likely course of the disease in individual cases. Even when cancer has spread, it is actively treated with the aim of enabling a long and good life.
The Breast Cancer Association organizes discussion groups and peer support events for people with metastatic breast cancer. In these groups, participants can meet others in a similar situation, share experiences, and receive practical advice. Topics range from managing treatment side effects to coping with feelings of anxiety and fear. Read more in the Peer Support section.
You are not alone
When breast cancer causes worry and fear, support is available. We reach out to you with a helping hand. Read more about the emotional support we offer.