10 vital recommendations for breast cancer patients during the corona virus process

Breast cancer patients are among the riskiest group in terms of life-threatening corona virus. Since many people do not want to go to the hospital with the concern of corona virus, they cannot get the chance of early diagnosis or disrupt their treatment. Postponing surgical operations during the corona virus process also causes an increase in the rate of advanced breast cancer. In addition, patients with breast cancer need to pay more attention to themselves during the COVID-19 process. From Memorial Şişli Hospital Breast Centre Assoc. Dr. Fatih Levent Balcı gave information about what breast cancer patients should pay attention to during the corona virus process.

Like all cancer patients, breast cancer patients can become vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are negatively affected. For this reason, breast cancer patients should also stay away from crowded places as much as possible, wash their hands with plenty of water and soap for 30 seconds after contacting objects with the risk of disease transmission, not neglect to use masks, not touch their mouth, face, nose or eyes with their hands, pay attention to their nutrition, not disturb their sleep patterns, do light exercises for at least 20 minutes a day and benefit from the vitamins recommended by their doctors.

Treatment should continue uninterruptedly

Breast cancer patients should not disrupt their treatment with the concern of corona virus because breast cancer is never a condition that can be postponed. There is no difference between being outside and being in the hospital in terms of corona virus risk. First of all, breast cancer patients with suspected corona virus should contact their physicians. If the patient has a relative with Covid-19 contact, this should be reported to the doctor. The treatment process should continue in cancer patients who do not have Covid-19 in their relatives or themselves and whose blood values are normal. Although the process continues in the home environment in some cancer patients receiving oral treatment, chemotherapy or surgical treatments should never be disrupted or delayed.

Breast cancer treatment cannot be postponed

It can be seen that most of the patients with suspicion of mass in the breast are hesitant to apply to the hospital due to the corona virus. However, breast health is always important. It should be kept in mind that the treatment of breast cancer is not a disease to be delayed. Breast cancer is also a race against time. Women should perform routine breast examinations in front of the mirror. If any of the following symptoms are noticed during the examinations, a general surgeon should be consulted without delay:

• Palpable mass on manual examination
• Mass felt in the armpit
• Nipple collapse
• A change in the nipple.
• Redness on the breast surface
• Difference in symmetry between the two breasts
• Bloody or bloodless discharge from the nipple
• Oedema in the breast
• The surface of the nipple looks like an orange peel
• Not every breast cancer shows symptoms, routine examination should not be delayed for this reason

However, breast cancer may sometimes be asymptomatic. Therefore, routine breast imaging tests should not be disrupted. Early-stage breast cancers can be detected and treated quickly with routine imaging tests. Some types of breast cancer can be aggressive. For this reason, it is very important to perform operations within one week after the diagnosis of breast cancer in patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and who have been decided to undergo surgery. Delaying the treatment negatively affects the course of the disease and shortens the life span.

• Breast cancer patients should keep their proteins in balance
• First of all, breast cancer patients should avoid stress
• Along with breast cancer, all cancer patients should have routine examinations and not postpone their treatment.
• Hands should be washed with water and soap for at least 20-30 seconds at reasonable intervals. If washing is not possible, hands should be cleaned with disinfectant or cologne
• Hands should never be placed in the mouth, face, eyes or nose
• Healthy nutrition should be provided
• The Mediterranean type that supports immunity should be fed. Patients with breast cancer need to balance their protein ratios. Two egg whites should be consumed every morning.
• Mask and social distance should be taken into consideration when going to hospital examinations
• Telephone, keyboard, table, toilet, door handles have to be disinfected regularly
• Family members of breast cancer patients should take the same care
• People with surgical treatment should also continue their oncological treatment without delay.
• Hospitals are safe

All kinds of measures are taken for corona virus in hospitals. All imaging devices are disinfected after each use. Officials are regularly screened for the corona virus. For this reason, it is important to benefit from both examination and treatment opportunities in terms of breast health by complying with measures such as mask, social distance and personal hygiene.

Prepared by the Medical Editorial Board. Our health library contents have been prepared for informational purposes only and with the scientific content on the registration date. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis or treatment about your health, please consult your doctor or health institution.