Risk of Breast Cancer Increases Up to 12 Times with 2 Family Members Affected; Early Detection is Key to Treatment

Breast cancer is a disease where earlier detection allows for minimizing the scope of surgery and reducing the extent and toxicity of subsequent additional treatments. Professor Kang Hee-jun of the Breast Surgery Department at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital cited genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors as major causes of breast cancer, explaining that the influence of genetic factors is particularly significant.

Breast Cancer Risk Determined by Genetic Factors and Hormones

The largest cause of breast cancer occurrence is genetic factors. If there is a family history of breast cancer, the risk increases by 2 to 3 times, and in particular, if there are 2 or more breast cancer patients among family members, such as a mother or sister, the risk rises sharply by 8 to 12 times.

Hormonal factors are also important variables. If there are hormone-related factors such as early menarche, late menopause, additional hormone therapy, or the use of oral contraceptives, the risk can increase by about 2 to 3 times. As environmental factors, alcohol consumption, smoking, and carcinogens found in the air or food encountered in daily life were mentioned. However, as the number of pregnancies and births increases, breast stem cells change into mature cells that possess resistance, so the risk of breast cancer tends to decrease.

Differences in Examination Methods According to Symptoms, from Mammography to MRI

The most basic part of breast cancer screening is mammography. Mammography allows for the comparison of symmetry in both breasts and is the only means to find microcalcifications, which are early symptoms difficult to detect with other examinations. However, in the case of 'dense breasts,' which are common among Korean women, accurate reading can be difficult because X-rays are obscured by breast tissue. In such cases, a breast ultrasound examination is performed additionally.

While ultrasound examination is a useful method, it has limitations in finding all lesions in detail. Therefore, for patients who need to identify the exact location of a lesion before surgery, a breast MRI examination is conducted. However, MRI is characterized by the need to use contrast agents and the fact that it requires significant time and cost.

Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented Through Food?

Many people wonder if breast cancer can be prevented through specific foods, but realistically, it is difficult to prevent it through food alone. This is because to match the concentration of substances shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in laboratory studies, it is difficult to achieve even if one consumes foods containing those ingredients all day long. Therefore, rather than relying on specific foods, it is recommended to maintain overall health through a balanced diet.

Professor Kang Hee-jun emphasized that breast cancer is a cancer that is treated well and has a high cure rate compared to other cancers, and stated that rather than having excessive fear, it is most important to detect it early through regular checkups and lead a healthy life.