«Many breast pain is caused by inadequate bras»

MARIO GARCÍA |

More than an expert in breast pathology, Professor Miguel Prats Esteve (Barcelona, ​​1943) is a benchmark in medical research in this specialty. He was one of the initiators of the global study of the breast when there was still doubt as to which branch of medicine corresponded to the treatment of each of the diseases that affect this organ. He founded the Spanish Society of Senology and Breast Pathology, which he chaired at its inception, and has committed his professional and teaching career to the development of Senology, a "humanist and global" vision of the study of the breast. Doctor Prats will offer two conferences tomorrow in San Sebastián, one reserved for doctors and the other for the general public. The latter will be in the Kutxa assembly hall on Andía street, at 7:30 p.m.

- What is senology?

- It is the global and integrative study of the normal and pathological breast. Both concepts cannot be separated. You can't just talk about cancer. You have to know the organ where the disease settles without separating it from the woman who suffers from it, and all this integrated into what we call society. Therefore, senology encompasses the different specialties that study the breast: surgeons, psychologists, radiologists, oncologists, radiotherapists, etc. Integration is what gives rise to senology. All this must be done with a not only scientific approach, but also a humanist one.

- Humanist?

- Sure, sure; all medicine has to be humanistic. Everything is becoming more and more technical and in the face of this, humanism in medicine must be defended.

- 'Women, mothers and society' is the title of your conference. What is the relationship it establishes?

- The breast is a special organ, with functions and peculiarities that women often do not know well and when asked, show interest in them. And it is that while she, on the one hand, does not have the information she needs, on the other, media sensationalism often gives her misinformation. Society demands women, imposes its fashions, asks for their participation, commercializes everything related to aesthetics. etc Senology and the media have a lot to do. Perhaps they would have to study with data in hand if the informative is in relation to the informative.

- Cancer is the breast ailment that worries the most, but the truth is that there are many others.

«Many breast pains are caused by inappropriate bras»

- Yes, many more. In Spain it is estimated that, throughout her life, one in twelve women may suffer from breast cancer, but benign diseases, mainly pain, will have seven or eight out of ten. And among those whose breasts are normal, ten out of ten have problems for reasons they don't know about. Most women are unaware of the breast, which is a significant part of their body.

- Isn't that a strong statement?

- But it's true. We have done multiple surveys and the result is surprising. What they think they know, in the end it turns out that the knowledge they have is scarce and they ask for more information.

- What kind?

- Questions as elementary as if there are benign pathologies or if when fluid comes out of the nipple it is always bad; when to put on the first bra, if the bra can cause problems.

- Well, what are these benign pathologies?

- The most frequent in young women is pain. There is a difficult barrier between what is normal before the period and what is pathological, which due to its intensity or duration can disturb normal activity. Then come the benign tumors; the most frequent is the fibroadenoma (solid) in youth and the cyst (liquid) more towards middle age. Many times they are noticed that we call nodules that are confused with tumors and sometimes they are totally normal. There are also shape changes, nipple changes, inflammation, eczema. Regarding secretions, it is normal for milk to come out during pregnancy and lactation, it can appear outside of this period () and sometimes in a normal way. Bloody discharge may also appear, indicating a pathology that is often benign; or dark colors, which scares but is not usually serious.

- He was also referring to the first bra.

- They should be put on when the development of the breast is already evident and can even bother. It helps to avoid distension of the skin and has to provide a very soft support; It must be elastic and moldable so as not to deform, and adjust the size and cup to the growth of the girl. And you don't have to leave it on overnight, like they do in England.

- In general, how should the bra be?

- The day-to-day bra must be like a second skin. The breast has no systems that support it, it has no muscles. Well, this is something that in certain gyms they tell women to do exercises to strengthen the muscles of the breast, but they have nothing to strengthen simply because there are no muscles inside the gland. So it must be a comfortable garment that does not bother. This does not mean that on some designated day they can put on one of those that focus, elevate and highlight. but this does not have to be the usual garment.

- Does a bad choice pose a health risk?

- It does not cause cancer, logically, but many patients come to the office complaining of pain. And what they have is an inappropriate bra. It is not necessary to give them any medicine: what they must do is put on a suitable bra. In short, if a woman knows her breast, she loves herself. But knowing means fleeing sensationalism and taboos.

- What taboos?

- For example, the news that alludes to the fact that certain deodorants can cause cancer. That is false. It has also been said that wearing a bra or sunbathing generates tumors. And that the oil protects. In short, a series of information that is sensationalist and that is not useful.

- Let's talk about breast cancer. What incidence does it have?

- In Spain, 56 cases per 100,000 people and per year. It is a disease on the rise, just over 2% per year, and it is expected to increase, especially in older women, although lately we are seeing many cases in people under 45 years of age.

- The good news is that mortality is decreasing.

- Exactly. The incidence increases but mortality decreases thanks to two things: earlier diagnosis and better treatments. In general terms, mortality accounts for less than 50% of the incidence, although in many cases, with an early diagnosis, the sooner the better, survival is 80%-90%, and more in some cases. In fact, there are currently thousands of women cured for many years.

- Breast cancer is not exclusive to women. So do men.

- Yes, 1.5%-2% of all breast cancers are in men. Perhaps because it is less common, in men they are usually diagnosed later, when the cancer is more advanced.

mgarcia

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