All you need to know about breast cancer: screening, treatment and reconstruction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and the leading cause of mortality due to cancer. One in eight women will have to face the disease during their lifetime. Today, thanks to better screening (60% of cancers are now detected at an early stage) as well as the development of increasingly effective treatments, 87% of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis.

What are the methods used to screen for breast cancer?

Breast cancer screening is a process during which a doctor or a nurse examines a woman’s breasts to check for any lumps, swellings or other changes which could be a sign of breast cancer. Here is a full list of screenings:

● Palpation, and particularly self-examination
● Screening tests using imagery include first and foremost mammograms (a type of x-ray that identifies tumours measuring a few millimetres which cannot be detected by palpation)
● Ultrasound (an examination which complements mammograms). MRI scans are also recommended in some cases.

Where can I go for screening in Monaco?

At Princess Grace Hospital, and in the Principality more generally, we have access to the best equipment and medical and paramedical skills, enabling us to operate an excellent screening centre. Treatment for breast cancer has made considerable progress in all areas (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.). As for reconstruction, Princess Grace Hospital offers several techniques. Patients treated at Princess Grace Hospital therefore receive optimal care. In many cases, surgery is vital, but before taking a decision, it is possible to access a second opinion.

Making an appointment for a breast cancer screening