Symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer, like most other cancers and diseases, is best dealt with when there are no symptoms present. The onset of symptoms most often makes the treatment process more difficult and aggressive. Because breast cancer in its earliest forms does not cause any symptoms, it is best to have regular breast exams so as to detect the cancer as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms of breast cancer include detection of a breast lump. You may be wondering what exactly a lump feels like.
A breast lump that you should have examined will feel hard and will have uneven edges. A lump higher up in the breast will sometimes feel like it is closer to the armpit than the breast. Visually, you can see a change in your breast if there is a lump. You may notice a change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or nipple. These changes may include redness, dimpling, or puckering that looks like the skin of an orange. Many women discount the possibility of their being a lump because the lump is rarely painful at first.
Another symptom of breast cancer is fluid coming from the nipple. This fluid may be bloody, clear-to-yellow, or green. In some cases the fluid discharge will look like pus. Keep in mind that it is possible for men to get breast cancer too. In men, breast cancer symptoms may manifest themselves in the feeling of a breast lump or breast pain and tenderness. So men need to make themselves aware of the symptoms of breast cancer so that they too can be diagnosed as soon as possible and begin treatment.
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If the cancer is allowed to progress and start to spread away from the breast, the symptoms will start to change as well. The symptoms of advanced breast cancer are, as you may have guessed, much more apparent and distressing. Symptoms of advanced breast cancer may include: bone pain, breast pain or discomfort, skin ulcers, swelling of one arm (next to breast with cancer) and weight loss.
It is important to educate yourself on these symptoms of breast cancer so that you are informed should you notice something abnormal about in your breast. Annual mammograms are designed to be able to detect the symptoms of breast cancer before the cancer can reach advanced stages. Waiting to detect cancer on your own may out-rule the use of some more effective treatment methods. It is recommended that women over the age of 40 and women who are menopausal be tested in a regular basis. Women who are younger than 40 should also be screened but may not necessarily need to do so every year. If there is no family history of breast cancer and the women under 40 is in good health, a breast cancer screening every 2 years is most likely going to be sufficient.
Many women notice an abnormality in the breast but are afraid to tell someone else about their symptoms. Fortunately awareness of breast cancer issues has brought about the creation of a number of different organizations whose goals are to encourage women to have regular screenings by helping with the costs of those screenings and to educate women so that if there is a lump detected in the breast the right diagnostic tests can be performed to yield a more accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of breast cancer could be completely avoidable if you are willing to do your part and be tested on a regular basis. Remember that the sooner you know that there may be a risk for cancer, the sooner you will be able to reduce that risk.
