[Korea Daily] Early detection of breast cancer is 'promoted' effectively…

With Korean women statistically having a higher probability of developing breast cancer than women in other countries, 'promotion' is known to be effective for early detection. Breast cancer is typically treated by surgically removing the affected area followed by breast reconstruction; however, recently, fat grafting—specifically stem cell breast augmentation—is gaining attention over implant reconstruction.

Shin Dong-jin, the representative director of SC301 Clinic and a domestic expert in stem cell therapy and breast surgery, appeared on TV Chosun’s “Good Morning Information World” aired on the 25th and stated, “According to the Korean Breast Cancer Society, 88% of breast cancer cases are detected by ‘palpation,’ so the best way to detect breast cancer early is to perform regular self-examinations.”

Breast cancer screening is most effective 3 to 5 days after your period ends. This is because the breasts are softest around this time, making it easier to detect any lumps. The screening is performed by relaxing your body while taking a warm shower and feeling the breast tissue to check for hard lumps. If you do not have a period due to pregnancy or menopause, you can set a specific date each month to perform periodic self-examinations.

Director Shin stated, “In addition to lumps, it is advisable to seek medical attention if one breast has suddenly enlarged or stretched. You should also get a checkup if the breast skin resembles an orange peel, if the nipple is indented or discharged differently than usual, or if lymph nodes in the armpit area can be felt.”

Meanwhile, pain is known not to be a major symptom of breast cancer. Director Shin stated, "Only about 5% of breast cancer patients complain of breast pain," adding, "What is more important than pain is the 'lump,' which is characterized by being hard, irregular, and not moving easily when touched." 

Therefore, it is explained that periodically palpating the breasts, regardless of the presence of pain, helps prevent breast cancer. If breast cancer progresses further, bloody discharge may come from the nipple, the nipple or skin may become inverted, eczema may develop around the nipple, and lymph nodes may be palpable in the armpit.

Meanwhile, despite advancements in medicine, it is known that the principle to date is to surgically remove cancers, including breast cancer. Breast cancer is also treated by performing a total mastectomy, which removes the entire breast where the cancer occurred, or a partial mastectomy, which removes only the tumor and a portion of the surrounding tissue, followed by breast reconstruction using implants or autologous fat.

Director Shin stated, “In the case of implant reconstruction, side effects such as implant rupture or capsular contracture can occur in about 40% of cases after about 10 years post-procedure, so recently, breast reconstruction is performed using muscles and skin from the back or abdomen in thin cases, and fat from the abdomen or thighs in cases with a lot of fat.”

In cases where autologous fat is used, stem cell breast reconstruction is recently gaining popularity. 

Director Shin stated, “Using fat has the disadvantage of limited effectiveness and a high risk of side effects such as fat necrosis or calcification. However, stem cell breast reconstruction, which involves isolating stem cells from extracted fat and mixing them with pure fat for injection, is recently gaining attention.” 

This means that when stem cells are mixed with fat cells and injected into the breast, the survival rate of fat cells within the breast tissue, which was previously at the level of 10–20%, can be increased to an average of 76%, and side effects such as necrosis and calcification of fat cells caused by low survival rates can be minimized. Stem cells regenerate tissue and secrete various growth factors, while also participating in the formation of blood vessels between fat cells, which has the effect of significantly increasing the re-tissue efficiency of separated fat.

However, it is explained that caution must be exercised when selecting a hospital for breast reconstruction using stem cells. Director Shin advised, “Recently, there are hospitals that outwardly promote stem cells but actually perform unrelated surgeries,” adding, “You must decide on surgery only after thoroughly consulting with a doctor who has extensive experience in this field.” 

In other words, you must carefully examine the 'facts' of each hospital, such as what equipment they possess for stem cell therapy and what level of skill, know-how, and experience the medical staff performing the treatments have.

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