Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most pressing issues in modern oncology.
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most pressing issues in modern oncology. According to GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates, there were 2.4 million new cases of breast cancer and 694 000 deaths worldwide. This makes it the second most common malignant neoplasm globally (11.8 % of all cases) and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women — in 164 out of 186 countries. In Russia, 86 705 new cases were detected in 2025, accounting for almost one‑fifth (19 %) of all malignant tumours. Mikhail Yuryevich Valkov, Professor, radiation therapist, and Head of the Department of Radiation Diagnostics, Radiation Therapy and Oncology at the Northern State Medical University, spoke about the risk factors and prevention methods for this serious disease. 🔹Risk factors. Non‑modifiable ones include female sex, age, heredity (BRCA1/2 mutations — 1–3 % of cases), early onset of menstruation, and late menopause. Modifiable factors include obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, smoking, hypothyroidism, chronic stress, and exposure to ionising radiation. 🔹Prevention: primary prevention and screening. Primary prevention involves a prudent approach to menopausal hormone therapy (only when strictly indicated and at the lowest effective doses), regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week), and combating obesity, particularly visceral fat. 🔹Mammography is the gold standard for early diagnosis. Women aged 40–75 are recommended to undergo it once every two years, including as part of routine health check‑ups. ❗Regular screening reduces breast cancer mortality by more than 30 %. Women with a hereditary risk should follow an individualised plan that may include ultrasound or MRI and earlier initiation of screenings. Thanks to widespread screening, the proportion of cases detected at stage I has nearly doubled over the past 10 years, reaching 36 % in 2025. 🔹The current treatment strategy for breast cancer focuses on maximising breast conservation without compromising the radical nature of treatment. Three main treatment modalities are used: surgery, radiotherapy, and drug therapy (hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and, increasingly less frequently, chemotherapy). Neoadjuvant drug therapy can shrink the tumour, enabling breast‑conserving surgery even for initially large tumours. Sentinel lymph node biopsy replaces the more invasive axillary lymph node dissection. Oncoplastic resections help preserve the aesthetic appearance of the breast. Drug treatment is personalised based on the molecular and genetic analysis of the tumour. With effective screening and high‑quality treatment, more than 80 % of breast cancer cases are now curable. ✅ October is recognised worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 15 October is World Breast Cancer Day. This is an important reminder of the need for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease. ❗If you have any questions about prevention or treatment, consult an oncologist or a mammologist. Your health is in your hands.