Be Careful, Breast Cancer is more difficult Detected in Fat Woman
Breast cancer lumps tend to be undetectable in women with overweight or obesity .
Usually, in fat women, the lump is already large when found.
For women with such physical form, a more frequent program is needed, in order to find the tumor early.
In the UK, women aged 50-70 years are invited to do the examination every three years.
In addition, for women assessed higher risk of breast cancer received an offer examination in a more frequent intesitas.
Those at greater risk, for example, women with a family history of breast cancer.
Being overweight also increases the risk of women getting breast cancer.
However, currently, obesity has not been considered for inclusion in points that support the addition of breast examination intervals.
A study at The Karolinksa Institute, Sweden, involved 2,012 women with breast cancer between 2001 and 2008.
The women have undergone examination programs every 18 months to two years, as a standard in Sweden.
As reported by the BBC, the researchers then studied how large the tumor is diagnosed, compared with the body mass index (BMI) of women, which became the size of obesity.
The team found the data, women who are overweight tend to have a larger tumor when it is detected.
This may be because their breasts are bigger, and consequently the position of the tumor is harder to feel.
"Or, because their tumors grow at a faster rate," said lead author in the study, Fredrik Strand.
In fact, larger tumors tend to bring a worse prognosis.
Also Read : understanding breast cancer
"In addition, our findings suggest, women with a high BMI should consider shorter time intervals in routine screening ."
But Sophia Lowes, of Cancer Research UK, said the study, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, did not provide enough evidence for changes in screening intensity.
"Because, breast screening also has a risk, although great benefits," said Lowes.
"This process does save lives by helping detect breast cancer at an early stage."
"But it can be detrimental for women diagnosed with cancer may actually not threaten their lives," he said.
"So it's good if the inspection time is made in the range that really benefits the examined, and defeats the potential danger as a whole," he stressed.
Usually, in fat women, the lump is already large when found.
For women with such physical form, a more frequent program is needed, in order to find the tumor early.
In the UK, women aged 50-70 years are invited to do the examination every three years.
In addition, for women assessed higher risk of breast cancer received an offer examination in a more frequent intesitas.
Those at greater risk, for example, women with a family history of breast cancer.
Being overweight also increases the risk of women getting breast cancer.
However, currently, obesity has not been considered for inclusion in points that support the addition of breast examination intervals.
The risk of obesity
The women have undergone examination programs every 18 months to two years, as a standard in Sweden.
As reported by the BBC, the researchers then studied how large the tumor is diagnosed, compared with the body mass index (BMI) of women, which became the size of obesity.
The team found the data, women who are overweight tend to have a larger tumor when it is detected.
This may be because their breasts are bigger, and consequently the position of the tumor is harder to feel.
"Or, because their tumors grow at a faster rate," said lead author in the study, Fredrik Strand.
In fact, larger tumors tend to bring a worse prognosis.
Also Read : understanding breast cancer
More frequent checks
"Our study shows, when doctors face the choice of pros and cons over breast cancer screening, then in patients with high BMI should be out the 'pro' option," said Strand."In addition, our findings suggest, women with a high BMI should consider shorter time intervals in routine screening ."
But Sophia Lowes, of Cancer Research UK, said the study, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, did not provide enough evidence for changes in screening intensity.
"Because, breast screening also has a risk, although great benefits," said Lowes.
"This process does save lives by helping detect breast cancer at an early stage."
"But it can be detrimental for women diagnosed with cancer may actually not threaten their lives," he said.
"So it's good if the inspection time is made in the range that really benefits the examined, and defeats the potential danger as a whole," he stressed.