Note: The following article is a reprint of a 2014 interview conducted by Anabel.al for Professor Dr. Gottfried J.Locker MD, one of the best oncologists in Vienna, specializing in breast cancer. Professor Locker is Chief of the Oncology Pavilion at the University Hospital of Vienna (AKH) and Head of the Oncology Pavilion at Landsklinikum Mistelbach - Ganserndorf. He is the author of more than 250 publications and lectures and has been awarded the Scientific Research Award by the Austrian Society of Intensive Care and the "Theodor Biliroth" award by the Austrian Medical Association. Reprinting is prohibited, even by citing the source, without the permission of the newsroom. The article can be republished in part, always accompanied by the relevant link of Anabel.al.
Professor Locker, breast cancer is generally a distant concept when you don?t have it. Should I be scared if someone appears next to me? Is it hereditary?
If you do not have previous cases of cancer in your family, you do not have to be afraid.
Most Anabel readers said that "mammography is not recommended before the age of 30." What checks should women do? At what age should they start? How often?
The Austrian recommendation is: Check every two years from age 45 to age 69. Under the age of 44 and over the age of 70 only if you are asked by your doctor and if you have other family members who have cancer, start checking at the age of 30.
Compared to 10 years ago, has the number of breast cancer survivors increased? If so, what happened?
It is true that the number of survivors has increased. This is not only due to effective therapies, but also to other more specific therapies and better understanding of the molecular pathology of breast cancer.
Tirana, the capital where I live, is considered one of the most polluted cities in the Balkans. Is Cancer Related to Pollution?
Pollution is responsible for some types of cancer (for example, lung cancer), but not for breast cancer.
Let's talk about chemotherapy. How can we prepare mentally for its side effects?
First, the most unbearable side effects are vomiting and nausea. They can be prevented thanks to previously done antiemetic therapy. Mentally, it is important for patients to accept chemotherapy as a friend and not as an enemy.
What should family members do to alleviate the effects of chemotherapy?
Try to please them, but it is important for the patient to live life as normally as possible, as this helps a lot in tolerating the side effects of chemotherapy.
How important is food? Can we prevent cancer through food? What should be avoided during chemotherapy?
Food and drink, combined with smoking, can cause some types of cancer, but not breast cancer. Cancer patients should not avoid any food during chemotherapy. It is important to improve the quality of life by making yourself happy.
It may seem like a strange question, but can chemotherapy be seen in a positive light?
Chemotherapy undoubtedly improves your chances of survival!
Some theories read in articles describe destructive chemotherapy as an ineffective way to cure it. They suggest vegetable juices, noting that proteins and sugars nourish "bad" cells and that only juices remove cancer. This theory is thought to have come from Austria. What do you think of this theory? Do you know patients who have tried it and it has been effective for them?
There are, unfortunately, many such ridiculous theories circulating, which are not published in any scientific medical journal. Moreover, we oncologists have seen a lot of patients die because of these hypotheses.
An article in the 2009 issue of the journal Lancet, published by Austrian physician Michael Gnant, claimed that cancer could be cured without chemotherapy if the patient responded positively to a drug that blocks estrogen. It's true? Has it been effective?
Estrogen and progesterone are just some of the prognostic factors. Also important are tumor classification, proliferation, vascular intervention, her2neu protein levels. Estrogen blockers are very effective, but only for a minority of patients act as the only therapy.
Is chemotherapy the simplest or best way to treat cancer?
It is one of the ways to treat the patient. Others are radiotherapy, immunotherapy and anti-hormonal therapy. Which treatment should be used depends on the molecular pathology of the tumor.
In addition to pain relief pills, are there any natural remedies to combat side effects?
Some patients benefit from additional treatments such as homeopathy or traditional Chinese medicine
If a woman undergoes chemotherapy, is she at risk of not having children?
If the woman is not menopausal, she will reach post-menopausal condition, due to chemotherapy. Normally periods begin 6-12 months after the chemo. After 12 months, patients can become pregnant. In some young patients (who respond positively to estrogen receptors) anti-hormonal treatment prolongs the post-menopausal period, but is absolutely necessary. In these patients, pregnancy may increase the chances of tumor recurrence because tumor cells grow due to estrogen stimulation. If pregnancy after chemotherapy is important for young patients, there are medications (such as goserelin) that stop the ovaries from functioning.
QUESTIONS FROM ANABEL.AL READERS FOR LOCKER PROFESSOR DOCTOR
Hello doctor, my mother is 67 years old and was operated on in 2008 for breast cancer, under the diagnosis of Mammae Carcinoma. She only removed the tumor mass and continued with chemotherapy and radiation. Her right arm was swollen from surgery (on her right breast) and so on. Doctors have told him to exercise, not to lift weights, and to avoid contact with water. Is it normal? Should the arm be swollen still 6 years after chemotherapy?
This may have been due to the removal of the axillary lymph and adjuvant radiotherapy. She should continue with physical therapy and exercise and keep her arm up, whenever possible.
If my mother is a survivor of breast cancer, at what age should I have my first mammogram?
If you have more than 2 cases of cancer in the family, take the BRCA test and start mammography after the age of 30.
The mother did a mammogram and the doctors discovered a mass in the chest and suggested a biopsy. I refused, as I was afraid that the cancer would spread. Was I right? What should we do now?
Biopsy is necessary, but if you are afraid, perform surgical incisions.
When I was 18, I was diagnosed with feiberadenoma in both breasts. I had 7 glands. I removed one of them. 2 months after surgery, they increased and became 12. After 4 years the situation has not changed. Check regularly every 4-5 months. Will they bring me problems in the future? What if I want to have children?
Normally cysts do not turn into cancer, but if you are scared, continue with regular check-ups. Estrogen stimulants during pregnancy can enlarge cysts.
If I have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, will it come back?
I'm sorry, but I can't answer that question, as I need to know the molecular-pathological type of your cancer and the form of chemotherapy.
Hello, I'm worried about cysts. When are they considered dangerous? When do they contain water or fibrosis?
Normally cysts do not transform into cancer, but do regular check-ups.
The nipple on my chest is dark purple. Should I worry? Should I check?
Contact your gynecologist and have a mammogram.
I did chemotherapy and radiation (2 years ago). Can I go to the beach this summer?
Yes, no problem.
I have heard that arm hair should be cleaned only with a waxing machine and not with wax, because we risk becoming breast cancer. It's true?
No, it's not true.
I had an operation to remove the inflammation in the mammary glands. Is it safe to have children?
It was not cancer, so there is no problem.
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