Symptoms of Advanced Breast Cancer

Breast cancer recurrence symptoms are often recognized by a small lump in the chest or breast area. Hardening of the breast or thickening of the tissue may occur. Discoloration of the skin may show up due to an interference with the normal flow of the blood through the lymph vessels in the breast tissue. Too much exposure of the breast to the sun can increase this recurrence as well. Wearing protective sun lotions with high UV intensity are recommended to avoided reoccurrence of breast and skin cancers.

Other breast cancer recurrence symptoms are a leakage of fluid which may leak from one or both nipples. This fluid may be void of color or milky in appearance and may also contain hints of blood with the discharge. The symmetry of the breast may also be affected. Parts of the breast may be dimpled or indented.

The skeletal structure particularly can be affected by recurrent cancer of the breast spreads. This is known as bone metastasis. Metastasis is different from cancer that begins in the bone. Cancer that leads to bone metastasis may have started in your breast, your prostate, your lungs, or other parts of your body. Cancer that has metastasized to the bone is not curable but treatable. Treatment will ease pain and slow the progression of metastasis.

Later stages of the reoccurrence of breast cancer may include breathing difficulties due to the involvement of the lung and surrounding structures. Especially if the left breast is involved, treatments may be difficult because radiation treatments may scorch the lungs or heart muscle. A physicist is always involved in the hospital procedure of radiation treatments to detect the proper angle of radiation to the breast.

Risks of breast cancer from reoccurring can be reduced with basic preventative measures of diet and hormone reduction methods. Over weight persons and persons with cancer histories may be more prone to recurrences of breast cancer if they do not focus on reduction of weight, through exercise and diet to reduce these risks. Ask your doctor about foods that also help prevent cancer and foods that can stimulate cancer growth. Soy products are notorious for fueling estrogen-induced cancers. The Aronia berry is known to fight cancers along with many other types of fruits and vegetables. A hospital dietician can be used for advice on the do's and don’ts of a well-balanced diet for breast cancer prevention.