A Joint Effort in Early Breast Cancer Detection: It All Starts at Home
This month is symbolized with the color pink because it is dedicated to raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer, the most common malignant disease among women worldwide.
The statistics are alarming: breast cancer is the leading cause of illness and mortality from malignant tumors in the female population in Serbia. Although discussed less frequently, it is important to acknowledge that men can also develop breast cancer, although this happens significantly less often. The high mortality rate in our country is most often the result of late detection. When diagnosed in an early stage, breast cancer is curable in over 90% of cases.
However, not every breast cancer is the same. There are several different types that differ in histological structure and molecular profile. The most common is ductal carcinoma, which originates in the milk ducts, while triple-negative breast cancer is the most aggressive and challenging to treat because it does not respond to hormone therapies. Precisely due to these differences, early detection is crucial not only to start treatment on time, but also to accurately determine the tumor type and approach treatment with appropriate, personalized therapy.
The First Step Is in Your Hands: How Is a Self-Examination Performed?
In Serbia, there are currently no strict official guidelines regarding exactly when to begin preventive ultrasound screenings, so it is most often left to a doctor’s recommendation. For that very reason, your personal responsibility and self-care at home are invaluable.
Every woman, from the onset of her reproductive years, should perform a breast self-examination once a month, ideally 7 to 10 days after the start of her menstrual cycle, when the breasts are not swollen and tender.
How to Perform a Self-Examination Correctly:
- Visual inspection: Stand in front of a mirror and observe your breasts in different positions—first with your arms relaxed at your sides, and then with your arms raised above your head.
- Palpation position: The manual palpation examination is best performed lying down or in the shower.
- Circular technique: Raise one arm above your head, and using the pads of the three middle fingers of the opposite hand, make gentle, circular movements across the entire surface of the breast.
- Lymph node check: A key detail many forget: be sure to thoroughly check the axillary regions (armpits) and the areas directly above and below the collarbone, as lymph nodes are located there.
Do Not Panic if You Feel Lumps
It is important to know that breast tissue is not the same in every woman. Some breasts are composed predominantly of soft, fatty tissue, while others fall into the category of higher-density breasts, made primarily of glandular and dense connective tissue. Glandular tissue naturally feels nodular and grainy to the touch.
The goal of a self-examination is not to diagnose a condition, but to become familiar with the normal structure of your breasts so you can immediately notice if a new, different, or firm change appears.
Pay close attention to visual changes:
- Unusually enlarged nipples or nipple retraction
- Skin dimpling, puckering, or bulging
- Abnormal nipple discharge
- Skin texture that resembles an orange peel (peau d'orange)
Any such change requires an immediate visit to a physician.
Ultrasound and Mammography: Combined Diagnostic Power
If you notice a change or simply want a routine preventive check-up, the next step is an ultrasound examination performed by a radiologist or gynecologist.
"Although there are no official guidelines in Serbia regarding the exact age to begin preventive ultrasound screenings, my personal and professional advice, based on clinical experience, is to start with annual breast ultrasounds after age 30. If there are prior health complications, suspicious changes, or a family history of breast cancer, check-ups should begin significantly earlier."
— Dr. Milica Petrović-Kmezić
As we age, breast tissue structure changes, which is why mammography is introduced into diagnostics. According to the national screening program in Serbia, screening mammography, covered by health insurance, is recommended for women starting from age 50, every two years.
What Is the Difference?
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves and is ideal for distinguishing fluid-filled cysts from solid masses, making it particularly effective for younger women with dense glandular tissue.
- Mammography: Uses low-dose X-rays and is unrivaled in detecting microcalcifications—tiny calcium deposits that can be an early sign of cancer before a mass can even be felt.
These two examinations are not mutually exclusive; they provide complementary views, and combining them is often key to establishing an accurate diagnosis.
Genetic Testing: A Look into Heredity
Owing to tremendous advances in medicine, we now know that certain genetic mutations significantly increase the risk of developing this disease. The most well-known are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, though many others have also been identified.
Identifying a tumor's genetic background is crucial for two reasons:
- Targeted therapy: It directly guides the patient's treatment strategy, as BRCA mutations also carry an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
- Family vigilance: It serves as an alert for first-degree relatives to monitor their own health proactively.
Having a family member with breast cancer does not automatically mean you inherited the mutation or will certainly develop the disease. While individual preventive genetic testing is available today, these panels are not part of routine screening and can be costly, meaning they are typically conducted strictly under the guidance of a clinical geneticist or oncologist.
You Are Not Alone in This Fight
The fight against breast cancer is not fought only in hospitals. It begins in your bedroom, in front of the mirror, and continues in the office of a doctor you trust. It is a joint effort that brings together personal vigilance and professional medical care.
Do not leave your health to chance. Join us at Primea, listen to your body, and perform regular self-examinations. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require a routine breast ultrasound, our team of gynecologists and radiologists is here to support you.
Related Services:
- Gynecology – Breast Ultrasound with Clinical Palpation
