Recognizing The First Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is not a type of disease that comes without early signs. However, a lot of women fail to identify the first symptoms of breast cancer. As a result, when they find out about the existence of this cancer, it has already reached an advanced state (stage III or IV). Thus, women need to recognize the early signs of this cancer so that the chance of recovery is high. The early detection of the cancer may also prevent further damage to breast tissue. However, the worst thing that can happen besides death is that the affected breast needs to be removed. This normally happens when the cancer has reached stage IV.

The first symptoms of breast cancer usually do not cause any pain. One of the most common early symptoms is a hard lump in the breast. If it remains even after menstruation, you need to consult your doctor about it, because it might be malignant or cancerous. Women need to pay more attention to the upper outer quarter of the breast since about 50% of lumps are found in that area. If you feel a hard mass in your armpit, it might be a sign that the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes. This means that it has reached a more advanced state. The lump can also change the look of the affected breast. It may appear asymmetric or larger than the other breast and you may also notice some dimpling or puckering. The nipple of the affected breast can appear scaly or retracted. The texture of the breast and nipple may also feel like orange skin (this symptom is also known as peu d'orange). A change in color and texture of the areola and nipple discharge (with or without blood) may also indicate the disease. The not so obvious signs are soreness of the breast and nipple, swelling of one arm and weight loss. Women experiencing those three symptoms often mistake them for symptoms of other, not so serious diseases.

Over 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered through self examination and therefore it is extremely important for women to perform breast self examination (BSE) every month, particularly a week after menstruation. If you discover any unusual lumps, you need to consult your doctor immediately. Additionally, women aged 40 and over are advised to get a mammogram every 1 or 2 years. By doing so, if abnormal cells are present, your doctor can do further examination to determine whether the cells are cancerous or not. If they are cancerous, then you will be prescribed the appropriate treatment. If the cancer is detected early, you have a better chance of successful treatment.

Identifying the first symptoms of breast cancer is critical. A lot of lives can be saved if women are more aware about the symptoms that can indicate this disease.

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Breast Cancer - Its Signs and Symptoms

If you are concerned that you might have cancer of the breast, it is highly significant that you must have a medical check-up immediately by your physician. Letting your physician know and examine your breast will surely alleviate your stress. If something uncommon is discovered, you will be able to attend to it speedily.

Most of the time, there are no outbound symptoms of breast cancer that you will be able to see. But in cases that something uncommon is discovered, you may feel lumps in your breasts, a thickening region is noted, or dimpling of the breast. Swelling and redness of the breasts and nipples are also symptoms of a breast cancer. Generally, it does not directly imply that you possess breast cancer even if you have these symptoms. Always think back that lumps of the breast mostly tends to be not cancerous. Just consult your doctor about it to make sure everything is fine.

One symptom of a breast cancer is a mass that you can feel. A breast mass may be painless and laborious is more like to be cancer. But occasionally, breast cancer mass can be fine and round in texture. So it is very significant to see a doctor right away if there are any uncommon changes noted on your breast.

Another symptom of a breast cancer is a certain pain felt in one of the breast, maybe on both, or sometimes felt in the armpit. Pain commonly felt by women during their menstrual cycle. If you feel pain which comes about in a weird pattern, or comes way before or beyond your menstrual cycle, go to your doctor and have it checked. Another symptom could be your breast or nipple has sudden changes in its configuration and size. Swelling in the breast may have a deeper cause which possibly indicates cancer. Consult your physician about this to conduct further analysis and examination. Symptoms of a breast cancer may include fluid discharges, either clear or cloudy, leaking through your nipple. Another symptom could be a sudden alteration in colours of areola or nipple. Sometimes, there will be dimples and rashes around it.

Health is wealth, always bear this in mind. Be a keen observant on your own self and consult right away to a physician if there are any changes that may persist so that your doctor will conduct some test and examination for further evaluation.

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Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer and How to Detect Them

Breast cancer is the second most common and also the second most lethal cancer in women in the United States. It occurs when cancerous cells develop in the breast tissue, most commonly in the milk ducts or glands. The cells grow uncontrollably and, in some cases, they can even spread to other parts of body which are not directly connected to the breast, such as the liver, bones, lungs, and brain. This kind of condition is also known as metastatic, advanced, or secondary breast cancer.

Generally breast cancer shows several symptoms, including:

1. A lump in the breast which can be the size of a pea which persists even after one menstrual cycle. An unusual mass found in the underarm can also be a sign of the disease. Lumps are one of the first and very general symptoms of breast cancer. They generally are painless, but in some cases, sufferers can also feel a prickling sensation. They can be detected by mammography even before they can be felt or seen.

2. Changes in the breast size, temperature, contour, and texture. The affected breast can either swell up or shrink depending on the type of the cancer. It can also show other signs such as orange peel-like skin surface (also known as peu d'orange), flattening or indentation, a marble-like area under the skin, and higher temperature at the affected breast.

3. Pain and the feeling of tenderness of the breast.

4. The swelling of the lymph nodes in the underarm.

5. Changes that can be seen or felt in the affected nipple, such as nipple retraction, burning sensation, itchiness, ulceration, or the scaling of the nipple (which is also a common symptom of Paget's disease). Sometimes the nipple also produces bloody or clear discharge.

All the symptoms and signs can be seen with naked eyes and felt with manual examination. Nevertheless, breast self-exams are not recommended by some medication centers. Consult your doctor about the limitations and benefits of the self-examination before doing it. There are other, more accurate ways to examine the early symptoms of breast cancer, including clinical examination, mammogram, ultrasound scanning, and needle test (FNAC). All of these tests can be performed only by healthcare professionals. You are advised to have the examination(s) regularly, at least once in a year. The best time to get your breast examined is shortly after the end of your menstrual cycle since your breast will be in the most normal condition (not swollen or tender), making any abnormal changes easier to detect.

The detection of early symptoms of breast cancer is necessary for immediate follow-ups. Visit our site to get more info about how to detect the early signs and symptoms of the cancer.

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