“I could have died just because I was lazy”: screening, a major issue in the fight against breast cancer
|La prévention clamée haut et fort pour Octobre rose. Illustrtation Midi Libre – M. ANISSET
À mi-parcours du mois au ruban rose pour sensibiliser au dépistage du cancer du sein, petit point pratique sur la prévention.
In the midst of Pink October, while awareness of breast cancer screening is in full swing, some women are still hesitant to get checked. However, this simple examination saves thousands of lives each year.
1. Many obstacles
“There are still too many obstacles to screening”, laments Dr. Christine Kerr. Having been a radiation oncologist for decades and having treated many breast cancer patients, she naturally got involved in the League Against Cancer. And in her mouth resonates mainly the word "prevention". "With early detection there are 87% cases of remission at 5 years", she declares implying a “why deprive yourself”?”
Even if the specialist understands some reluctance, “we must find solutions to remove all the obstacles”, such as those related to the cultural aspect, those linked to the difficulties in going to the exam…
As for those who are afraid of the result, let them rest assured: “On 1,000 mammograms, only 7 show abnormalities and among them, not all are cancer."
2. Organized screening
Marylou had dragged her feet a bit to have her mammogram.“It was part of the organized screening, I went there under family pressure at around 52 years old. And fortunately. We were able to catch it in time…" This screening, which is recommended every 2 years for women aged 50 to 74, is 100% covered.
The mother did not suspect that she could be affected by cancer, “it was more due to lack of time, laziness than fear”, she admits. “When I think about it, I could have died just because the mammogram wasn't a priority in my schedule…"
Josyane, she, has never missed "a session". "Every two years, I go. I'm 72 years old and so far no abnormalities", she confides mischievously. “Let it last.”
3. Individual screening
"It is not because there is organized screening for 50-74 year olds that others cannot get screened", insists Dr. Christine Kerr. "Quite the contrary, it is important. If you have the slightest doubt, do not hesitate to consult a general practitioner, a gynecologist and even a midwife." And to add: “Self-examination should be encouraged, which is quite simple.”
How to perform a self-examination of your breasts…
Self-examination of your breasts is recommended at from the age of 20 (for women it is better to wait a few days after your period).
First, you need to spend some time visualizing in front of a mirror, with your arms at your sides. You need to look for any variation in size or shape, skin retraction, discharge from a nipple, redness or visible veins, thickening of the skin or a palpable lump.
Then you need to raise one of your arms and feel each breast with three fingers, starting with the outer side and making small circles, paying particular attention between the breast and the armpit. Check for discharge from the nipple and palpate the area above the collarbones.
&If there is any abnormality, consult a doctor.
While feeling her breasts one fine morning, Aurélie had the fright of her life. “A huge mass had settled in my right breast, I saw my life flash before my eyes…” Panicking, she went urgently to her gynecologist, who reassured her and after a mammogram, no cancer was detected. “They explained to me that it would stay. Since then I have been hesitant to have this lump removed even though I know there is no danger."
But palpation is not the only individual screening. It is also possible to have a mammogram prescribed without necessarily having symptoms.“The caregiver will prioritize prescriptions for people with hereditary factors, but also for those who need to be reassured.”
And fortunately, some people get screened before the age of 50. Like Sandra Koopstra who explains: “They always say that you have to feel your breasts, but my tumor was hidden. It wasn't palpable despite its size of 14mm. If I had waited until I was 50, I would have had something huge."
It was on the advice of her gynecologist that she had her first mammogram at age 46. An abnormality was detected at the next exam, two years later. Operated on last March, she underwent a lumpectomy before preventive chemo. Twelve sessions with their share of side effects.
She still managed to keep her beautiful blonde hair by wearing a refrigerated helmet. "I put bags of frozen peas on my head every night in front of the TV.” Today, his fight is far from over: immunotherapy until next spring and hormone therapy that should last another five years.
4. Breastmobiles to reach out to the population
According to the ARS Occitanie, in 2023, 57.9% of Hérault women aged 50 to 74 eligible for breast cancer screening will do so. So 42.1% will not take the step.
“That's why we try as much as possible to reach out to the population”, explains the prevention delegate of the League against cancer. “Thanks to the mammotest, a bus equipped to do the tests, the screening goes to the neighborhoods to facilitate the examination. Women do not have to travel, we come to them.“
And the specialist adds: “It is easier to come in a group, between friends, neighbors, to do a mammotest, it makes the process lighter.”
Rachida was anxious and did not dare also out of modesty. But thanks to the pharmacist in her neighborhood and especially her neighbor, she went to get tested. «I was accompanied, I wasn't alone, it was less intimidating. And then we were among women.»
Mammobile in practice
Without an appointment
It is possible to go to the Mammobile without a prescription, without an appointment and without an invitation. You just need to be between 50 and 74 years old and that your last mammogram is at least 21 months old. You must be covered by a French health insurance fund.
Calendar
Several dates are already proposed until the end of the year. Next stops always from 9 a.m. to 17h45: Mauguio on October 21 and 22 in front of the Post Office on rue de la Démocratie, Montpellier, Pas du Loup district, on the 23 in front of the Marcel-Cerdan gymnasium, rue Hébert, Castries, on the 24 at 50 avenue de la Gare and Lattes on the 25 in front of Espace Lattara, place de Lattres de Tassigny.
5. Be an actor in your health
Beyond screening, we must also remember the importance of a healthy lifestyle: quitting smoking, favoring a balanced diet, limiting alcoholic beverages, avoiding excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle with physical activity…
Protective factors that are essential: “Everyone at their own level, with their resources, can ensure that they stay healthy.”