Cure breast cancer disease

In Switzerland too, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, with around 4,000 new cases every year. The diagnosis of breast cancer understandably causes great uncertainty and despair.

The initial shock is quickly followed by existential fears:

• How bad is my condition?
• Can my cancer be cured?
• Will I have to undergo stressful chemotherapy?
• Will I lose my breast?

These feelings of being overwhelmed and helpless are understandable, but despite all the fear, you must not forget: Breast cancer is curable in the majority of cases if it is recognised in time and treated correctly.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer, also known as mammary carcinoma, is a malignant tumour of the breast. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Switzerland, with around 4000 new cases every year. The risk of developing the disease gradually increases with age from the fourth decade of life onwards. In very rare cases, breast cancer can also occur in men.

How does breast cancer develop?

Breast cancer develops when originally normal cells of the glandular tissue, which consists of so-called glandular lobules or milk ducts, degenerate malignantly. This results in uncontrolled and rapid growth. Over time, firm, irregular lumps form on the surface, which can be palpated by hand.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Breast cancer does not usually cause pain or other typical symptoms. Indications of breast cancer that require clarification by a doctor may be

• Newly appearing, hard lumps in the breast
• Dent-like skin indentations on the breast
• retraction of the nipple
• New difference in the size of the breasts
• Inflammation or reddening of the nipple in women who are not breastfeeding
• Leakage of fluid from the nipple (especially if the secretion is bloody and only leaks from one nipple)
• Enlarged lymph glands in the armpits

Can breast cancer be completely cured or is there a risk that the tumour will grow back?

In the majority of cases, a cure is possible: with early diagnosis and correct treatment, the chances of a cure are over 90 per cent. However, the actual chances of recovery depend on the type of tumour and its stage of growth. Unfortunately, a relapse - even many years after treatment - or the appearance of a new tumour can never be completely ruled out. However, the prospect of a continued high quality of life is very good thanks to today's treatment methods.

What are the causes and risk factors?

Various factors are thought to be responsible, such as an unhealthy diet and obesity, smoking, childlessness or hormone replacement therapy. Frequent cases in the family and other hereditary factors also play a role, but should not be overemphasised.

Does breast cancer mean that the breast has to be removed?

Whether a breast needs to be partially or completely removed depends on the size and type of tumour. In the majority of cases, breast-conserving surgery is possible, i.e. only the affected part needs to be removed.

However, in the case of large or multiple tumours, complete removal of the breast is usually unavoidable. In these cases, we offer immediate reconstruction with autologous or foreign tissue in the same operation to restore the woman's physical integrity.

How can I take precautions myself and get clarity in case of uncertainty?

Regular self-examination of the breast after the menstrual period is important, because in most cases the woman can feel a lump herself. Only those who know their breasts well are able to recognise dangerous changes at an early stage and contact a doctor immediately to clarify the findings. The doctor will examine the breast and palpate it. If breast cancer is suspected, modern diagnostic methods allow an early and well-founded assessment of the possible disease.

In most cases, a mammogram is performed first, followed by an ultrasound scan. If the type of change cannot be satisfactorily clarified, a fine needle aspiration (removal of individual cells), a punch biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) or magnetic resonance imaging are also carried out.

The three goals of the right breast cancer treatment

The right breast cancer treatment is the one that

1. is the most effective oncologically (= complete removal of the tumour)
2. achieves the best cosmetic result
3. leads to the end of treatment as quickly as possible without detours and unnecessary operations

Even if action must be taken quickly: There is enough time for a careful assessment and weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment options.

Simultaneous tumour removal and breast reconstruction without implants

For many years, the treatment of breast cancer was unilaterally focused on prevention and the actual removal of the tumour. Far too little attention was often paid to the physical and psychological consequences of a stressful therapy. With the possibilities of onco-plastic surgery, holistic treatment concepts are now available that optimally combine tumour removal and breast reconstruction.

Removal of the tumour and preservation of physical integrity

The main goal of any breast cancer treatment is always the complete removal of the tumour. Thanks to a better understanding of tumour biology, the balance in the treatment of breast cancer has shifted more and more in favour of breast-preserving therapies. Nevertheless, complete removal of the breast is unavoidable in around a third of all patients. Today, it has been proven that reconstruction can have a positive effect on the quality of life of the woman affected and has no disadvantage in terms of the chances of curing the cancer. It is important that a plan is drawn up before the first treatment begins, taking into account the oncological aspects and the aesthetic needs of the patient. The aim of any breast cancer treatment is to achieve the desired result directly without detours and with as little effort and complications as possible for the patient.

Today's reconstruction options

Today, a variety of proven, highly innovative surgical methods are available for breast reconstruction. There are basically three types of breast reconstruction:

• with a silicone implant
• Implant with autologous tissue from the back
• only autologous tissue from the abdomen, thigh or buttocks

Complex reconstructive procedures, especially those using the patient's own tissue, require extensive expertise and many years of experience in the field of microsurgery. However, only a few centres are currently able to offer their patients the full range of reconstruction procedures.

Nipple reconstruction

Nipple reconstruction is the final step in completing breast reconstruction. Nipple reconstruction can only be planned once the breast shape has been restored and any necessary symmetrising corrective procedures have been carried out. However, not every patient considers this part of the reconstruction to be relevant and therefore forgoes it. Nipple and areola reconstruction is performed in different ways. Most commonly, a small skin shift is performed on the reconstructed breast. The areola is reconstructed either by tattooing or skin grafting from the thigh.

Costs & insurance for breast cancer

The treatment of breast cancer is a service covered by health insurance. However, we have found that in certain cases there can be problems with reimbursement of costs if subsequent reconstructive surgery or symmetrisation surgery on the opposite breast is rejected by the health insurance company on the grounds that the treatment is purely cosmetic. In these cases, our doctors will of course advocate on your behalf.

Your well-being comes first

The team under the direction of Dr Cédric A. George is committed to your personal concerns in a competent and comprehensive manner. We are also available at any time for a second opinionand will be happy to advise you.