Prevention | Breast Cancer | Cancer Prevention
Breast cancer: number one malignancy in women in Germany
Breast cancer. Causes. Risks. Early diagnosis
In Germany, approximately every tenth woman develops breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer continues to be the most common malignancy in women, even more common than colon cancer and malignancies of the uterus and ovaries. In the early stages breast cancer is curable in most cases. In subsequent stages the breast must frequently be amputated. The causes for the disease have not been clarified satisfactorily. We know that healthy nutrition and sport have a prophylactic effect. Overweight and nicotine can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Men can develop breast cancer too.
The risk for the disease increases significantly starting at age 40. The mammogram is thus recommended starting at this age. In Germany, free mammogram screening is available for all women between 50 and 69 years old. The goal is to detect breast cancer as early as possible because this significantly increases the chances of a cure. For the examination of the breast the Diagnoseklinik offers the conventional, digital and MR mammograms. The radiation-free MR-mammogram is considered today as the most accurate procedure in breast cancer prevention (place link). In case of the digital mammogram, the computerised analysis on the images can reduce the number of recordings. This leads to a reduction of radiation for this procedure.
Breast cancer in the early stage generally causes neither pain nor other complaints. However there are some signs which suggest breast cancer: for example new nodules or indurations in the breast, retracted nipple, skin changes around the nipple or areola, discharge from the nipple (especially bloody), sudden redness of the breast, nodules larger than one centimetre in the armpits.
In case of suspicion of breast cancer we recommend the breast check at the Diagnoseklinik. If it is detected early, breast cancer has excellent chances for cure of more than 80%. Thus you should definitely avail yourself of a preventive check.
Articles from our archive, containing topics related to prevention
Self examination - protection against breast cancer
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