Breast Cancer: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in breast tissues. This disease can affect the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (lobular carcinoma), which are the parts of the breast that produce and transport milk.

Epidemiology

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with incidences ranging from 27 to 94 per 100,000 women depending on the region. In France, the incidence is among the highest in Europe. Despite a decrease in incidence in some countries since the 2000-2005 period, mainly attributed to a reduction in the use of menopausal hormone treatments, breast cancer remains a major public health concern.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for breast cancer include: • Endogenous hormonal factors: early age of first menstruation, late menopause. • Exogenous hormonal factors: use of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy. • Reproductive factors: multiparity, early age at first childbirth, breastfeeding. • Genetic and familial factors: family history of breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. • Environmental and lifestyle factors: obesity, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to radiation.

Symptoms

Symptoms of breast cancer may include: • A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm. • Changes in the size or shape of the breast. • Changes to the skin of the breast, such as redness or dimpling. • Nipple discharge, which may be mixed with blood. • Persistent pain in a part of the breast.

Screening

Breast cancer screening is primarily conducted via mammography, recommended every two years for women aged 50 to 74 in France. This screening aims to detect the disease at an early stage, enabling less aggressive and more effective treatment. However, there are controversies over the risks of overdiagnosis and false positives.

Treatment

Treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage of the disease and may include: • Surgery: lumpectomy or mastectomy. • Radiotherapy: often combined with surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. • Chemotherapy: used to treat advanced cancers or reduce tumor size before surgery. • Targeted therapies: such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancers. • Hormone therapy: for hormone-dependent cancers, using medications to block the action of hormones.

Prognosis

The prognosis for breast cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis. In France, 5-year survival is about 88%, varying according to age and cancer type. Advances in screening and treatment have helped improve survival rates over recent decades.