Do you want to know what kind of underwear a woman should wear and what we should know about breast screening? Lela Bachilava, a mammologist at the Institute of Clinical Oncology, talks to us about this topic.

• At what frequency should a woman undergo screening?

Breast cancer screening is performed through mammography. Mammography of the breast involves an X-ray examination, during which the breast tissue is irradiated with a minimal dose that is completely safe for health. Mammography is an indispensable method for detecting non-palpable formations. It is performed on a bare breast, which will be placed under a special device for a few seconds during the examination. The procedure is not painful. The examination is performed the second week after the end of menstruation.

According to statistics, in countries where breast cancer screening is widely implemented, 95% of those examined after a mammogram do not show any suspicious changes. If breast cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be cured. 

Mammography examination should be performed by all women over the age of 40.

From the age of 30-40, mammography examination should be performed once every 1-2 years, and from the age of 50 - annually.

- Is there a screening program functioning  in Georgia?

Breast Cancer Prevention Program was launched in 2008 with the co-financing of the Tbilisi Municipality and the United Nations Population Fund. Within the framework of the program, women of a certain age group are provided with free breast cancer screening. The program aims to protect women suffering from breast cancer through the early detection of malignant tumors.

Breast cancer screening is provided to women aged 40 to 70. Based on international experience, the best way to prevent breast cancer is population-based screening, which allows for early detection and treatment of the pathological process. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer mortality among women participating in screening has decreased by 35%.

- What kind of underwear should we wear?

A bra should be made of natural materials, soft, should not have metal studs, rough seams, and should not cause trauma or breast irritation.

- Are there any restrictions in terms of using hygiene products - deodorants, antiperspirants, etc.?

It is not recommended to use dry or liquid deodorants or antiperspirants - the chemical additives they contain may play a provocative role in the process development.

- What will be your advice for women having precancerous pathologies?

Be sure to contact a specialized mammological institution.  Women having the below-provided risk factors should pay special attention

• use oral contraceptives;
• undergo postmenopause hormone replacement therapy, in particular, therapy with estrogen + progesterone combination; this increases the risk of breast cancer;
• Had several abortions;
• Gave birth to their first child after the age of 30.

To reduce the risk, it is necessary to:

• Regulate sexual life;
• Timely treat gynecological diseases.

For prevention, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist once a year