Breast cancer early symptoms
In this article, we discuss the Breast cancer early symptoms. It’s an unfortunate fact that breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and one of the most deadly. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 241,840 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2016. That’s why it’s crucial to be aware of its symptoms early on, so you can get treatment as soon as possible. In addition, because early detection has been shown to improve your chances of survival significantly, it’s important to educate yourself on what they are, so you can act quickly if you experience any of them.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Multiple breast cancer patients don’t experience any signs or symptoms of the disease, but some early breast cancer symptoms indicate your body may be at risk. The most common breast cancer early symptom is a lump in one of the breasts. However, there can also be nipple discharge, skin changes in either breast, and a painless red rash on the chest. Less common but more painful signs include:
Excessive bleeding from a nipple with no infection.
An ulcerated nodule.
Sudden pain in the breast or underarm.
An important distinction is that while these are potential indicators of breast cancer or another related condition, they’re not conclusive enough to determine if you should see a doctor.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
Early on, breast cancer can be hard to detect. Breast cancer is different for everyone, but some general signs are lumps or unusual changes in size, shape, and feel of the breast; nipple discharge other than breast milk; redness or scaliness around the nipple; dimpling around the nipple or in the skin next to it. Seek a medical alert if you notice any of these signs.
Later signs of breast cancer include:
- Retraction, or inward turning of the nipple
- Enlargement of one breast
- Dimpling of the breast surface
- An existing lump that gets bigger
- An “orange peel” texture to the skin
- Poor appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit
- Visible veins on the breast
What is a “normal” breast?
Breasts come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have in common: breasts have an underlying breast structure called the mammary gland. The mammary gland comprises fat tissue, breast tissue (called lobules), and milk-producing cells. For women with no other breast issues or risk factors for breast cancer, the average breast tissue density is generally moderate to three lobules per millimeter. When it comes to breast cancer risk factors, what determines a person’s risk level is their family history, the amount of time between when they were born and when they first got their period, and how old they were when they started menstruating.
Breast self-checks
Checking your breasts for signs of breast cancer is the best way to find breast cancer’s early symptoms before it has a chance to grow. The National Cancer Institute suggests starting a monthly breast self-check while you’re still in your teens and 20s and keep doing them as you age. This should include looking at your breasts, feeling them, and doing a testicular self-exam. If any changes are detected, then see your doctor right away.
What Do Lumps in My Breast Mean?
In most cases, a lump in the breast is not cancer. A breast lump is most often benign (not cancer). But it’s not always benign. If your doctor feels a suspicious mass on the exam, they may order additional tests like a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy to help determine if the mass has spread outside the breast. It would be best to get these tests done as soon as possible since this can mean that you have an invasive form of breast cancer or even some other problem like ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or fibroadenoma.
Are breast lumps typically cancerous?
Early breast lumps are usually not cancerous and often go away independently. There is, however, a small chance that the lump could be a sign of breast cancer, so it’s important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will examine the breast lumps to determine whether they are benign or if they might be something more serious. Doctors typically perform mammograms to help diagnose abnormalities found in the breasts and use other testing methods to identify any signs of breast cancer cells. Early detection is critical for people who have risk factors for breast cancer because you may be able to remove the tumor before it spreads or causes further complications.
Other causes of breast pain and tenderness
More than half of women who feel a lump in their breasts will have no further problems. A small number may have more serious issues, such as breast cancer or fibrocystic disease. The cause of your pain and tenderness is not always easy to determine, but your doctor can help sort things out. Here are some common causes of breast pain and tenderness
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