October is the month of breast cancer awareness, so it is very important for us to give you all the essential information about the disease in a nutshell. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of prevention, since breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide that can be treated successfully at an early stage.

Since the risk of breast cancer increases with age, it is necessary for women over the age of 40 to participate regularly (every two years) in mammography screening.

It is still not clear what causes the disease, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

• Unhealthy nutrition, obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption
• Genetic factors
• Lack of self-examination
• Lack of mammography screening over the age of 40

There are no noticeable symptoms in its early stages that can be detected during self-examination, therefore the most effective method is mammography screening (low dose X ray examination) that can detect breast abnormalities.

• Change in the size and shape of the breast
• Lump or mass in the breast tissue
• Swelling and redness in one or both breasts
• Changes in the appearance of nipples
• Itchy or irritated breasts
• Bloody nipple discharge

Healthy, balanced diet, regular physical exercises and the avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are greatly contribute to minimizing the risk of the disease even if there is a genetic predisposition. In addition self-examination and regular mammography screening over the age of 40 is essential for the early detection of breast cancer.