One in eight women is affected by breast cancer and although the mortality rate is decreasing, the cases increase. What are the prevention strategies? Doctor Corrado Tinterri, director of the Breast Unit of Humanitas, guest in the Buongiorno benessere studio at Rai Uno, spoke about this topic.

“Having had a mother or close relative with breast cancer is the first warning sign for a woman over 30 years of age who must start thinking about this type of prevention,” explains Dr. Tinterri.

In addition to family history, you should also pay special attention to your lifestyle. “A good diet, regular physical activity and avoidance of sedentariness are all important factors. It is also advisable to pay particular attention to the path of female fertility: pregnancies and breastfeeding are in fact protective factors against this disease.

 

Signals that should not be underestimated

Any changes to your breasts should be considered as warning signs and should therefore be referred to a specialist. Here are some examples: “the appearance of blood secretion, changes in the skin of the breast – especially the orange peel skin – and in the breast itself, such as retraction of the nipple inwards or the change in the direction or shape of the nipple, or nodules that were not previously felt.

Being aware of one’s own body and breast, including through self-palpation, is important. Screening campaigns and programmes already widespread throughout the country, such as mammography, also play a key role.

 

The importance of breast centers

“Italy is one of the first European countries to have instituted a law on breast centers, so today all the Regions are obliged to create centers dedicated to breast cancer in which women, without having to support so-called journeys of hope, can find specialized professionals for these diseases, such as medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, radiotherapists and psycho-oncologists: figures who today guarantee a 20% reduction in mortality from this disease in these centers”, concluded Dr. Tinterri.

 

Watch the interview with Dr. Tinterri from minute 37.54, click here