Cancer, Second cause of death in Mexico Mexico (Notimex) .- Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mexico, after cardiovascular disease and accounts for 10 percent of deaths from diseases, and to continue that trend in less than 20 years will cause a quarter of deaths. According to the National Registry of Neoplasms, under the department of epidemiology at the Health Secretariat (SSA) in l999 in the country were presented 9 thousand 563 new cancer cases, with 3 thousand 425 deaths per l6.ly 6.94 hundred thousand inhabitants, respectively. Although in some countries, lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths, in others, like Mexico, is the breast and cervical cancer. The World Day to Combat Cancer, held on February 4, In the country, women of reproductive age and post-reproductive, nine women annually die daily from this disease. Breast cancer mostly affects women over 40 years, "group which is 23 percent of the country's female population is estimated as the universe of women in this age exposed to this risk is about 12 million figure will continue to increase. Each day features 26 new cases of breast cancer in Mexico, of which most are detected at advanced stages when the cure rate and survival are very low. Three strategies have proven effective in early detection of breast cancer: self-examination, clinical examination and mammography to women over 40 years giving priority to greater risk. The statistics have shown that mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality by 20 or 30 percent, especially for women at risk, it is the only study to detect such small changes even a few millimeters in diameter, frequently associated with malignant lesions. Risk Factors

  • Age-60% occur in women 60 years.

  • Prior breast cancer in contralateral breast (15-20%)

  • Family History-first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) has 30% more than a woman with no history.

  • Predisposing genes have been identified-2

  • Previously benign breast disease increases the risk by 25% and daily or frequent consumption of xanthines

  • Hormonal contraceptives or hormone therapy prolonged without adequate medical control

  • Obesity after menopause.

  • Other Factors-Menarche to 12 years or more, "Menopause after age 55, first pregnancy after age 30 or no pregnancies



SYMPTOMS These symptoms do not necessarily indicate that a woman has breast cancer, however, if any, should consult their physician.

  • Touch tumor that is clearly different from other breast tissue or that does not go to compression and is painless.


  • Inflammation that will not yield to medicine.


  • Wrinkled or dimpled skin.

  • Scaly skin around the nipple or discoloration.

  • Changes in the shape of the breast.


  • Nipple changes, especially if it contains bloody discharge.