{"id":4667,"date":"2022-09-27T11:15:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T08:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bioiatriki.com.cy\/?p=4667"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:45:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T07:45:37","slug":"as-milisoume-gia-to-stithos-mas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bioiatriki.com.cy\/en\/as-milisoume-gia-to-stithos-mas\/","title":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s talk about our breast"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

*by Dr. Nikolaos P. Kotsifopoulos, uploaded on Group\u2019s website in Cyprus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts about women\u2019s breast<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow often should I have a breast checkup?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Women should visit their doctors about once a year regarding their breast. The mastologist will recommend the proper medical tests for you depending in your age and your medical history. If you see or experience any difference on your breast, inflammation, pain, fluid secretion from the nipple, or nodule, you should consult your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it change through the years?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scientists from John Hopkins Medicine University explain that hormones affect the breast\u2019s size.<\/a>Indeed, most women experience an increase in their breast\u2019s size since adolescence. Estrogens affect the breast\u2019s size throughout the various phases of the women\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mammography lasts only 3 minutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Such a little time to save one\u2019s life!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size and breast cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scientists from the British Cancer Research UK<\/a> argue that women with denser breast have higher risk of developing breast cancer. \u201cWomen with dense breast have less fatty tissue on the breast area and more breast cells and connective tissue,\u201d they explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill losing weight make my breasts smaller?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Usually the answer is \u201cyes\u201d, since a part of the breasts is fatty tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMammogram or breast ultrasound?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Mammography<\/a> is the test that detects solid and cystic lesions as well as areas with suspected micro-calcifications. According to current guidelines, healthy and asymptomatic women should have their first mammogram at the age of 35 (the so-called reference mammogram). The follow-up is every 2 years after the age of 40, and every year after the age of 50. Every year if there is a hereditary condition or individual medical history. For women who have a confirmed mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are linked to breast cancer, an annual mammogram from age 30 is recommended. Breast ultrasound has zero radiation, and it is recommended for all ages. It detects solid and cystic lesions in the breasts, measures the tumors, determines their blood supply (even for a biopsy). (For more information:
(\u0394\u03b5\u03af\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c3\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac: Free breast screening packages \u201cFofi Gennimata\u201d<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo breasts change with exercise?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Push-ups and bench presses can help strengthen the chest muscles, which also support the breasts. However, the breast itself does not have muscle tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen is a breast ultrasound recommended?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Breast ultrasound is recommended for young women under the age of 35 if they have any symptoms or if something suspicious is detected by palpation. Complementary to the mammogram in the annual check-up, the ultrasound can detect lesions that cannot be detected by the examination alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want a mammogram, because I don\u2019t want to get radiation\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A mammogram has less radiation than a transatlantic flight. No one would say no to a trip, therefore, why say no to a life-saving exam?
(For more information: Myths and facts about mammography)<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big breasts = back pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, these two elements are intertwined for many women. In addition, large and heavy breasts make it difficult in some cases during exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about our breast: Fact or myth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMammography is painful\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The truth is that a mammogram is not painful, however, it can cause some discomfort. The examination is very short and the discomfort even less. For women who have high sensitivity and low tolerance for discomfort, a simple painkiller can help. Furthermore, we talk about our breasts to the technologist performing the exam, since they can create a more comfortable mammogram experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo I have to do the mammogram every time at the same diagnostic center?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is recommended to have the annual breast check-up done at the same diagnostic center. This is helpful for the better knowledge and archive of patient\u2019s medical history, better comparison of the results from year to year, and better cooperation with your personal doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am afraid of what the mammogram might reveal, is it better not to know?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk numbers. According to data recently released by the Ministry of Health,<\/p>\n\n\n\n