What are some symptoms of breast cancer

Knowing the symptoms of breast cancer in women may save your life. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 about 226,870 new cases of invasive and 63,300 cases of non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and 39,510 women will die from breast cancer.

Knowing the symptoms of breast cancer in men may save your partner’s life. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 about 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States and 410 men will die from breast cancer. Symptoms of breast cancer in women and symptoms of breast cancer in men are not the same.

Symptoms of breast cancer in women include lumps, swelling, pain, and visible changes in the breast. However, the cruelest answer to the question of what are the symptoms of breast cancer in women is that breast cancer usually has no symptoms in the early stages. Without symptoms, early detection of breast cancer depends on tools such as monthly breast self-examination and regular mammograms. Mammograms can often detect a lump too small to feel. Knowing the symptoms of breast cancer in women may lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which can save your life.

Symptoms of breast cancer in women may begin with a lump, usually painless, in the breast or underarm that is present even after a menstrual cycle. Sometimes there is swelling under the arm. It is always wise to question when an area of one breast looks or feels different from any other area on either breast.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are a mass located just below the nipple, skin changes around the nipple and sometimes, discharge from the nipple. This mass is usually firm and painless. There may be no other symptoms of breast cancer in men. The skin changes can include ulceration of the skin, puckering, redness or scaling of the nipple, or the nipple turning inward.
Symptoms of breast cancer become more detectable as a tumor grows and affects surrounding tissue and breast structure. As cancer spreads, more than the breast may be affected. When cancer spreads it is referred to as metastatic breast cancer.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer depend on the affected area and how far cancer has spread. For example, if the affected area is the breast or chest wall, symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, changes the breast size, shape, or skin, pain in the chest wall, and nipple discharge.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer affecting the bones may include pain or fractures in the hips, back or sternum, constipation, tiredness, and feeling less alert. Shortness of breath, cough, difficulty breathing, chest wall pain, and extreme fatigue are common symptoms of metastatic breast cancer affecting the lungs. Liver symptoms also include nausea, swelling of the abdomen, legs, and feet, and yellowing, itchy skin. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer in the brain are the pain (including headaches), confusion or memory loss, vision changes, difficulty speaking, understanding speech, standing, moving or walking, and sometimes seizures.

Know the symptoms of breast cancer in women and the symptoms of breast cancer in men and improve the opportunity for early diagnosis. Learn the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer to avoid the dangers of cancer spreading to other vital organs without treatment. Seek medical advice if you notice unexplained changes in your breast.