2026/10/19 11:08
The Breast Medical Center of TECO Hospital has introduced a high-end ultrasound imaging scanner, which can conduct detailed examinations of breasts and other parts, which can greatly increase the early detection rate of lesions. (Provided by TECO General Hospital)
[Reporter Liao Xueru/Report from Hsinchu] "Regular screening saved my life!" Ms. Lin, 48, who has no family history, recently received a mammogram through public subsidies. Although there was no discomfort, the report showed abnormalities. After the doctor arranged for ultrasound and precise thick needle sectioning, , was diagnosed as "stage 0 breast cancer" (carcinoma in situ); because it was discovered very early and the cancer cells had not yet invaded surrounding tissues, Ms. Lin only received a small local excision and postoperative radiation therapy and recovered smoothly, eliminating the pain of chemotherapy. Currently, she only needs regular follow-up, and her life is not affected at all.
However, not everyone is so lucky. Ms. Zhang, 55, felt a tiny hard lump in her right breast more than a year ago, but she kept putting it off because she was afraid to face it. It wasn't until the tumor became significantly larger and her skin developed depressions and ulcers that she was forced to seek medical treatment by her family. The tumor was diagnosed as malignant and had metastasized to the axillary lymph nodes, evolving into locally advanced breast cancer. Subsequently, she had to undergo long and painful preoperative chemotherapy, total mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and postoperative chemotherapy. She was under great psychological pressure and her survival rate was greatly reduced, which made the medical staff feel extremely sorry.
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Li Shiwei, an attending physician at the General Surgery Department of TECO General Hospital, pointed out that according to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 17,000 women in Taiwan will suffer from breast cancer in 2023, with an average of about 8.1 people losing their lives every day, and the age of onset is about 10 years younger than in Europe and the United States. However, if early-stage breast cancer can be detected and treated in time, the 5-year survival rate is as high as over 99%; if treatment is delayed until the late stage, the 5-year survival rate will plummet to about 40%.
In order to improve the early detection rate, the government has expanded screening subsidies starting from 2025, extending the target to women aged 40 to 74, who can enjoy free mammography every two years. Li Shiwei emphasized that about 70 to 80% of patients have no family history. Mammography can clearly identify tiny calcifications and is the tool that has been shown to be the most effective in reducing mortality. For Asian women with dense breasts or those with abnormal photography, high-end ultrasound supplementary scanning can also be used to greatly improve the accuracy.
Dr. Li reminds that if you find a painless hard lump in the breast, abnormal nipple discharge or indentation, skin ulcers or orange peel changes, you should seek medical attention immediately regardless of your age. If there is an abnormality in the screening report, do not avoid it out of fear or go online to scare yourself. You should seek professional consultation at the general surgery clinic as soon as possible to seize the golden treatment period as soon as possible and safeguard the happiness of yourself and your family.
