Breast cancer symptoms and signs

If you have known or heard of anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you have probably wondered about breast cancer symptoms and signs. Breast cancer is a serious condition resulting from the uncontrollable growth of breast cells. 22% of all cancer cases associated with women are of breast cancer. Even though a woman is much more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is still possible for men to contract it, so it is important that both genders are well-informed on breast cancer symptoms and signs.

Cancer results from gene mutations that allow cells to replicate themselves without regulation and eventually form tumors, which can be either benign or malignant. Breast cancer comes from malignant tumors that grow from uncontrolled breast cells. If these cancer cells spread to the lymph nodes, they have a pathway to travel throughout the body and possibly harm other healthy cells. Because of how subtle this whole process can develop within the body, the only way to detect breast cancer is to diligently check for the presence of breast cancer symptoms and signs.

The most prominent early sign of breast cancer is the presence of a lump on a woman’s breast. This lump can be found anywhere on a woman’s breast right under the skin surface and can even be located in the armpit’s lymph nodes. This lump is usually hardened, painless, and has uneven edges, but it also can be softer and more rounded. Since this lump has different characteristics and can potentially go unnoticed or ignored, the only way to confirm the possibility of breast cancer is through a mammogram performed by a doctor.

Besides a lump, other breast cancer symptoms and signs include skin irritation or a skin dimpling, changes in breast skin color or texture, swelling of all or part of the breast, pain in the breast or nipple, changes in nipple appearance including the nipple turning inward or a red and scaly thickening of the nipple, and a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple. All of these breast cancer symptoms and signs should be taken into consideration when trying to diagnose one’s self, but the only true answer you will get is by seeking official medical advice from a trained physician.

Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men

Breast cancer in men is a rare disease. This is because men do have a small amount of breast tissue, similar to that of a prepubescent girl. Men do not secrete the same hormones as women do during puberty which is why their breast tissue never fully develops. However, it is still breast tissue and can still develop cancer.

The rarity of male breast cancer means that most men are not in tune with breast cancer symptoms that would alert them to the problem. Another possibility is that men are less likely to be suspicious of an abnormality in the area and coupled with the smaller breast tissue makes it more difficult to spot cancer early and before it can spread. The American Cancer Society identifies several breast cancer symptoms that men should take note of, including:

1. Skin dimpling
2. Nipple retraction
3. Redness of the nipple or breast
4. Nipple discharge

These symptoms may seem obvious but they are not the only breast cancer symptoms men may experience. Vague symptoms, such as aches and pains (not limited to the breast area) or fever could be early symptoms. These vague symptoms present yet another difficult challenge to overcome. Others include; depression, fatigue, persistent cough, and difficulty swallowing.

Fever and fatigue are two breast cancer symptoms men may experience only after cancer has grown. Additionally, they can be linked to other forms of cancer and are not limited to breast cancer. A persistent cough could point to a wide range of maladies from the benign common cold to the flu, but if it persists longer than three weeks, it could be cancer.

Lastly, breast cancer symptoms in men also include lumps or swelling in the lymph nodes and testicles, urinary problems and indigestion. The problem with many of these secondary and tertiary symptoms is that one would not associate them immediately as breast cancer symptoms. The urinary problems, such as the urge to urinate more often, inability to start urinating, and weak stream, are similar to those associated with a weak bladder or an enlarged prostate, both of which are more common in men than breast cancer. Indigestion is more commonly associated with a heart attack or GI problems than breast cancer.

Breast cancer in men is a serious disease, one that should not be taken lightly and whose warning signs should not be ignored. If you begin to develop any of these symptoms please see your doctor as soon as possible.

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS

There are several TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS, which can be seen in either men or women. When a microscopic breast cancer begins, there is really no evidence that one, two or more breast cells have turned into cancer. We now know that many things can stimulate the cells to grow faster, including for some women, the female hormones. Independent of what type of breast cancer is growing, the first clue that something is wrong, is usually a breast lump. Ninety (90%) percent of the time, the woman, or man in some cases, will feel a small lump when they press against their breast.

When the lump becomes large enough to be detected, the question will always be is this a TYPE OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOM and sign, or is it something else, like an infection? Typically, infections are tender and cancers are hard, firm and non-tender. The lump can be further checked out by your doctor, who may order a mammogram or a newer test (Breast Enhanced Scintigraphy Test, a.k.a. B.E.S.T.) to see if it’s a breast cancer or something else. Like all cancers, breast cancers are associated with bloody discharge.

When this TYPE OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOM occurs, there is a bloody discharge from the nipple. It is frequently found when the breast is squeezed. As cancer grows, it distorts the breast, pulling it in, in some area and bulging the breast out in other areas. Some breast cancers (Paget’s disease, not the bone disease) produce a hard crust around the nipple that is reddened and irregular in shape. This unique TYPE OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOM represents an extremely aggressive form of breast cancer and should never be ignored or taken lightly. Other TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS include an orange discoloration (peau d’orange; a.k.a. orange peel) of the skin, which indicates you probably have “inflammatory” breast cancer.

All of these cancers can begin anywhere in the breast and spread out into the remainder of the breast and into the breast tissue found under the arm. Here, in what doctors call the axilla (armpit), the TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS present include the lumps within this area of this breast as well as swelling of the lymph nodes. This means the breast cancer has spread. After leaving the breast, the TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS, which can be seen, include headaches, bone pain, and abdominal pain.

 The TYPES OF BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS, which can be seen include lumps, bumps, swelling, bloody discharge from the nipple and can be seen anywhere in the breast. Women and men with these symptoms should be seen by their doctors to determine if they have breast cancer and how serious it is.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Symptoms

Any symptoms of breast cancer are cause for serious concern. Triple Negative Breast Cancer is first found when the screening for cancer or “pathology report” says that the breast cancer cells tested negative for estrogen receptors (ER-), progesterone receptors (PR-), and HER2 (HER2-). This means the cancer is triple-negative.

Triple negative breast cancer symptoms are very similar to more common symptoms of breast cancer. The most obvious is an uncommon swelling in a specific area or a noticeable cyst. Terrifyingly, there may be no symptoms of breast cancer present at all, making regular doctor visits and mammograms that much more important, as well as follow-ups and frequent self-examinations.

Prognosis and Treatment
Triple-negative breast cancer is often more aggressive than other types and isn’t a good candidate for treatments such as hormonal therapy and Herceptin. But triple-negative breast cancer can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Breast Cancer in Men Symptoms
Similarly, breast cancer in men symptoms is very similar to those in women. Because men possess a small amount of breast tissue in their chests, a condition very similar to that in women can develop. Identification begins with sensitivity, a lump, or unusual swelling. However, diagnosis most commonly occurs when the condition progresses to skin irritation and bleeding. Breast cancer in men symptoms are a serious concern and should be taken very seriously.

ABOUT BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS

Have you ever wondered what the breast cancer symptoms are or would you rather just not think about it? Women today have a lot on their plate trying to be working moms combined with being a soccer mom, wife, housekeeper, caregiver, errand runner and head chef of the house! It’s difficult enough to get through each day, kids-in-tow, without adding something else to think about, especially something like breast cancer symptoms!

Breast cancer signs and symptoms aren’t always the most visible at first. Sometimes the cancer is so tiny that it is only found by a mammogram or a sonogram. The key here is to remember that the earlier you find it and get it treated, the more likely you are to be completely cured of it.

So what should you do to try to make sure your breasts are free of any cancer and cancer symptom? Do self-exams of your breasts every month. Mark it down on your calendar to make sure that you do it. Decide what time of day works best for you so you can focus on your self-exam uninterrupted. You can examine your breasts while still in bed in the morning or while in the shower. Asking your partner or spouse to assist you is a great idea since they are often the ones who actually find a lump by accident. Go for your annual physical without fail so that the doctor can perform his or her own breast exam for you. Get that annual mammogram! Mammography is responsible for discovering many breast cancers each year.

Check your breasts for any signs of color change other than their normal color. Look for dimpling of the skin on your breasts. Is there redness? Is there soreness? Are there any lumps or knots that you can feel with your fingertips? Is there a mass of any sort, whether soft or hard? Is there any discharge coming from your nipples?

If you have even one of these breast cancer symptoms, make an appointment with your physician immediately to have it checked out. Only he or she will be able to determine if any further tests are necessary. Remember, don’t make the decision to see or not see the doctor on your own. Just go get it checked out. Taking that little bit of extra time out of your day may save your life!