Menopause and Breast Cancer
Menopause and Breast Cancer | While the incidence of breast cancer is 46.3 per 100 thousand worldwide, this rate is similarly 45.6 per 100 thousand in Turkey. Approximately 18 thousand women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Turkey in a year. Today, 1 in every 8 women in Western countries is diagnosed with breast cancer. Women diagnosed with breast cancer are often over the age of 40.
Being in the menopausal process is not a condition that increases the risk of breast cancer itself. However, the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Therefore, your risk increases not because you are in menopause but because you are older.
There are studies showing that starting the menopausal process after the age of 55 increases the risk of breast and uterine wall cancer.
It has been shown that hormone replacement therapies (HRT) reduce the risk of colon cancer, but can increase the risk of breast cancer in some women. If you have a history of or risk of breast cancer, it is not recommended to use HRT.
Menopause and Breast Cancer | A recent research review found that the available scientific evidence neither confirms nor refutes that HRT causes breast cancer.
Gaining weight during menopause increases the risk of breast cancer, while losing weight during menopause reduces the risk.
Menopause and Breast Cancer | Improving your quality of life, such as eating a healthy diet, getting good quality sleep, exercising, keeping your weight under control and not smoking, will reduce your risk of breast cancer. It is also important to perform routine breast checks at home, as well as to have mammograms and/or breast ultrasounds as recommended by your doctor for routine breast follow-ups, for early diagnosis and treatment.
What is Menopause and What is it?
Menopause and Breast Cancer | Menopause is not a disease. It is a completely natural period in a woman’s life. It is a period when a woman’s fertility period ends and her menstrual bleeding stops. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but this age range can vary from person to person. It is not possible to determine at what age a woman will enter menopause.
Menopause occurs as a result of the decrease in hormonal activity of the ovaries in women. These hormonal changes cause fluctuations and eventually decreases in the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Menopause is defined as one year after the last menstrual period. Although menopause is a natural life stage for many women, it also includes osteoporosis and heart problems. In addition, menopause symptoms can cause serious discomfort and a decrease in quality of life for some women.
Menopause Signs and Symptoms
Menopause and Breast Cancer | Menopause signs and symptoms occur during the period when women struggle with hormonal changes. These symptoms can usually be seen for several years before and after the onset of menopause. Here are the common menopause signs and symptoms:
Before menopause, irregularities in the menstrual cycle and often decreased or increased menstrual bleeding can be seen. In some women, this period is observed as frequent menstruation, while in others, it can be observed as fewer menstruations at longer intervals. After menopause, menstrual periods stop completely.
Hot flashes, which start suddenly and are characterized by a sudden feeling of warmth in the body, are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. These hot flashes can be followed by night sweats and negatively affect the quality of sleep.
Hot flashes are often associated with night sweats. Night sweats can disrupt sleep and affect a woman’s resting pattern.
Sleep problems can occur due to hormonal changes and hot flashes. Problems such as insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, and waking up frequently during sleep are common.
The decrease in estrogen levels can cause changes such as dryness of the skin, acne and hair loss.
Sexual problems such as vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse and decreased sexual desire are among the symptoms of menopause. Factors such as hormonal changes and vaginal dryness can cause changes in sexual functions. Libido may decrease and there may be changes in the duration or intensity of orgasm.
In addition, urinary incontinence may be observed in some women due to the effect of decreasing hormones before menopause (premenopause, perimenopause) and during the menopausal process.
Hormonal fluctuations can cause mental symptoms such as anxiety, depression, restlessness and emotional fluctuations.
The decrease in estrogen levels can cause a decrease in bone density and an increase in the risk of osteoporosis.
Hormonal changes and the aging process can lead to changes in the distribution of body fat in women. Postmenopausal women usually tend to gain fat around the abdomen.
Menopause and Breast Cancer | These changes can occur in different ways and in different severity in each woman. While some women experience mild symptoms, for others it can be a more serious condition.
Menopause and Breast Cancer | In order to go through this process comfortably and minimize the problems that may occur in your body, it is important to see Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra ÖZBAŞLI during the pre- and perimenopausal period before menopause, have all your tests done, improve your quality of life and take the necessary supplements.
