How to prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis?

How to prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis?  Methods to prevent recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer include regular physical examinations, relaxation, and healthy diet.

The incidence of breast cancer is so high, and the main reason for determining the prognosis of patients is whether there is recurrence and metastasis. To clarify the factors affecting the recurrence of breast cancer is essential for timely implementation of effective prevention and treatment measures.

So what factors are related to the recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer after surgery?

We can consider from the following aspects:

1. Age

The recurrence rate is higher in patients ≤40 years old, because patients in this age group have higher estrogen levels, which is conducive to tumor cell growth. Therefore, younger women have a higher risk of compound metastasis than older women. Such groups should be followed up.

2. Lymph node metastasis

Lymph node metastasis was found during the operation, indicating that the tumor has a high degree of infiltration and the recurrence rate also increases. Therefore, patients with lymph node metastasis should be treated with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy if necessary.

3. Tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm

Because the tumor is larger and deeper, the probability of tumor cells penetrating the serosal muscle layer is greater, thus entering the blood and spreading to other organs and tissues. Therefore, patients with tumor diameter ≥5 cm should be followed up and necessary radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be strengthened according to their own conditions.

4. CA153 level ≥25 U·mL-1

CA153 is one of the markers for clinical diagnosis of breast cancer metastasis, and it is highly expressed in breast tumor cells. When tumor cells spread and metastasize, the level of CA153 increases significantly. When the level of CA153 is ≥25 U·mL-1, the recurrence rate of breast cancer is higher. The postoperative detection of CA153 level can play a role in monitoring changes in the condition.

5. Emotions

Depression is associated with cancer recurrence, all-cause mortality, and cancer-specific mortality. A large proportion of breast cancer patients suffer from anxiety and depression. In a study, it was shown that depression is related to tumor recurrence and death. Therefore, maintaining an optimistic attitude is particularly important for controlling the recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer.

6. Others

Higher cancer stage, no adjuvant chemotherapy and lower follow-up rate are important predictors of recurrence. Compliance with doctor’s advice is a very important thing, especially for patients after tumor surgery, they must be implemented carefully according to the doctor’s advice. It is recommended that adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up are implemented in place. Don’t think that you will be cured after surgery. Paralyzed.

Up to 30% of breast cancer patients relapse after the initial treatment. The average survival time after recurrence and metastasis is low. If you do not pay attention to recurrence and metastasis, it is possible that all previous efforts will be exhausted. More importantly, failure to detect recurrence and metastasis in the first time will delay the opportunity for further treatment, leading to uncontrollable tumor growth and life-threatening.

We know which aspects affect the recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer after surgery, so how to prevent recurrence and metastasis?

1) Strengthen follow-up and post-operative review:

For people with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis, such as age ≤40 years, high stage, lymph node metastasis, and family history of breast cancer, strengthen postoperative follow-up. Generally, the follow-up is once every 2-3 months for 2 years after the operation, and every 3-6 months thereafter. The follow-up period can be appropriately extended if there is no recurrence and metastasis for 5 years, and the follow-up can be followed up for life.

Self-examination: Regular self-examination of breasts and bilateral armpits. If there is an isolated, painless, and very hard lump in the breasts and bilateral armpits during the self-examination, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to check for recurrence and metastasis. In addition, for Patients with advanced breast cancer should pay special attention to whether there are symptoms of other parts of the body after treatment, such as bone pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, painful lumps in the liver area, etc., pay attention to regular review and seek medical attention in time.

2) Actively participate in treatment:

For patients with early breast cancer, early surgical treatment. Multi-disciplinary comprehensive treatment (including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and endocrine therapy) is adopted for patients with advanced breast cancer; clinically, patients with lymph node metastasis and tumor diameter ≥5 cm are encouraged to actively participate in postoperative treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy Wait.

3) Regular inspection:

① Actively detect the level of CA153. CA153 is a tumor marker and the most important specific marker for breast cancer. The content change of CA153 is closely related to the therapeutic effect, and it is the best indicator for monitoring postoperative recurrence and observing the therapeutic effect. When CA153 is greater than 100U/ml, it can be considered as metastatic disease. Therefore, for breast cancer patients, regular testing of CA153 levels and early intervention when necessary can reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis.

②Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profile analysis and detection: By collecting peripheral blood to detect circulating tumor cells, compared with imaging and CA153 levels, it can more specifically guide the clinical discovery of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis earlier. The recurrence and metastasis of tumors can be monitored in real time, but this type of examination is time-consuming and costly and has not yet been popularized.

4) Keep your mood happy:

Depression is closely related to cancer recurrence. Low mood can lead to low immune function, which is not conducive to regulating the body’s immune function and killing residual tumor cells. If necessary, the intervention of a psychologist is required. But more importantly, the patient maintains a normal mentality and faces it positively.

Tips for keeping a good mood:

①Release emotions: find a way that suits you to vent, such as singing, taking a walk, meeting with friends on a regular basis, and so on.

②Divert attention: pick up the things you love again, such as painting, calligraphy, riding, etc., to enrich yourself.

③Change the environment: such as traveling, vacationing, leaving a place familiar to you, changing a place will change your mood.

④ Self-suggestion: Tell yourself that it is a day to be happy, and a day to be unhappy, and that a bad mood brings a lot of harm. There is no benefit to all harms. It is better to keep a good mood and face optimistically.

⑤Reading: Reading inspirational, light-hearted and humorous books will not only take us away from the real world, but also let us experience the joys, sorrows, sorrows and joys that happen to other people. It can gain the strength to fight against difficulties. Everyone’s life is accompanied Frustrated, some people’s stories are wonderful, and some are plain. The difference lies in whether you have courage and how to deal with the wind in life.

5) Other:

Quit smoking and alcohol daily and consume health care products with caution. Diverse diet and reasonable taboos. Avoid intake of foods rich in hormones and red meat, and eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and protein foods to enhance immunity and increase disease resistance.

Let’s summarize the main points. The focus of prevention lies in regular check-ups, life-long follow-ups, participation in treatment when necessary, maintaining a happy mood, etc. Among them, life-long follow-ups and regular check-ups are the most important thing. Follow the doctor’s advice and don’t take it lightly.

(source:internet, reference only)

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