Breast Health: Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Breast Center Ticino: Care, Listening, and Innovation at the Service of Women
“Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in breast tissue. It originates in the ducts and glands that produce milk and, if not diagnosed and treated in time, can spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body.” This is how Dr. Damir De Monaco, breast surgeon at the Breast Center Ticino, begins, emphasizing how early diagnosis and advances in research have significantly increased the chances of treatment and survival today. In Ticino, breast cancer affects approximately one in eight women: “Among all malignant tumors, it accounts for 32 percent of cases, followed by colon (11 percent) and lung (7 percent), and it is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in women.”
The good news is that prognosis depends greatly on how early it is detected: “If the tumor is identified in its early stages, treatments are more effective and the chances of recovery increase significantly.” Today we also know that there is not just one type: “It is a family of diseases with very different biological characteristics. Each variant has a specific behavior and, thanks to increasingly precise tests, it is possible to determine exactly which type it is and define the most appropriate therapeutic approach.” This means that, although we speak generally of ‘breast cancer’, today it is possible to offer targeted and personalized treatments for each patient. Therefore, De Monaco emphasizes: “Regular check-ups, targeted screening, and attention to any changes in the breast are essential. Thanks to advances in medicine, it is now possible to accompany every woman with increasingly specific care pathways, increasing the chances of success and improving quality of life.”
Recognizing this disease at an early stage is essential to increase the chances of treatment: “When identified early, it is less likely to spread to other organs and can be removed more easily, with less invasive procedures and better aesthetic results.” Furthermore, we now know that not all breast tumors are the same: “Each tumor has its own biological characteristics that determine its aggressiveness and response to therapies. For this reason, the choice of treatment depends both on its size and its specific type. Some tumors may be small but require more intensive treatment, while larger but less aggressive tumors can be treated with less invasive approaches.” In summary, “early diagnosis allows for more targeted, effective, and personalized intervention, improving not only the chances of recovery but also patients’ quality of life.”
“When a woman enters the Breast Center Ticino, ‘care management’ means a personalized and multidisciplinary pathway that considers not only the disease but the patient as a whole: at a somatic level, radiologists, breast specialists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, geneticists, and other specialists involved case by case objectively assess the type of tumor, its size, and any metastases. At the same time, the patient’s personal context (age, general health, family, work) is taken into account to define the most appropriate and sustainable treatment.” In this way, each pathway is tailored, combining clinical precision with personal attention, making the process both effective and comprehensive.
When it comes to breast cancer, relying on a center that meets internationally recognized standards makes a difference. The DKG certification obtained by the Breast Center Ticino is not just a formal title: “It is a concrete guarantee of quality, safety, and personalized care.” As Dr. De Monaco explains: “It can be compared to a final exam: it does not teach new knowledge, but it requires organizing, deepening, and structuring one’s work, creating a clear and precise methodology that guides daily practice. Similarly, DKG requires standardizing processes, coordinating the multidisciplinary team, and applying the most recent scientific evidence.” In essence, the evaluation leading to DKG certification (strict and conducted by external experts) ensures that every phase, from diagnosis to therapy, is controlled at a high level: “For patients, this means being guided through a safe, effective, and truly personalized pathway, where expertise and attention to the individual go hand in hand.”
Clinical research is also fundamental in the treatment of breast cancer, as it allows each therapy to be based on concrete data and international comparisons, not only on individual experience. The specialist explains: “There are centers dedicated to pure oncological research, studying how cells and drug molecules function, while physicians who treat patients daily participate in clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches. Offering the opportunity to participate in clinical trials means providing access to innovative treatments, contributing to scientific progress, and further personalizing care, without unnecessary risks for patients.”
Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can feel like a sudden and overwhelming tsunami. Dr. De Monaco acknowledges this but adds: “Today, thanks to advances in medicine and structured care pathways, the vast majority of patients can recover, and this is what I tell my patients when we begin the treatment journey.” The Breast Center Ticino supports every woman from beginning to end: “I make sure to offer concrete support and personalized attention throughout the entire process, like a mother would do with her child from the first day of school.” The message is clear: “Accepting the diagnosis is difficult and requires commitment and courage, but it does not mean losing hope. With the support of an experienced multidisciplinary team, every patient can face the disease successfully, with confidence, security, and the certainty of never being alone.”
Facing breast cancer today means being able to rely on increasingly structured, personalized care pathways based on the best available scientific knowledge. Dr. Damir De Monaco of the Breast Center Ticino by Affidea brustCare Ticino at Clinica Sant’Anna in Sorengo highlights the importance of patient care that combines specialist expertise, teamwork, and attention to the individual, supporting every woman through all stages of the disease. “An approach that looks not only at the effectiveness of therapies but also at quality of life, continuity of care, and trust, fundamental elements to face the diagnosis with greater awareness and peace of mind.”
Dr. med. Damir De Monaco
European EBOPRAS and Swiss FMH Specialist in
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Affidea brustCare Ticino
Centro Seno Ticino
Via Sant’Anna 1, 6924 Lugano
Phone +41 91 985 12 11
Quelle: Spazio Medicina