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Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged between 20 and 60 years. It can be easily treated and cured when detected in the early stages. Therefore, understanding the warning signs of breast cancer can be of great help. The warning signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. The common signs include a change in the look or feel of the breast or nipple and nipple discharge. Other signs include:
A lump in the breast or armpit
Most of women may find that their breasts feel lumpy because breast tissue often has a lumpy texture. But, if you feel a hard and immovable lump under the armpit or breast region, then you should see your doctor straight away. It is a sign of breast cancer. The presence of a lump in the breast or armpit is the first symptom of breast cancer in many women. It is advisable to consult the best cancer care specialists in Bangalore and get updated on your health.
Pain in the breasts or chest
Pain and discomfort in the breast or chest area is a common symptom of many health conditions. But if you experience a sharp and severe pain that comes and goes, and if you feel a mild electric sensation that goes from left to right breast, then it may be due to breast cancer!
Itchy breasts
This symptom is associated with inflammatory breast cancer. Most of women take the itchy breast as a dermatological problem and apply creams and ointments. But, you should remember that if the problem persists, you should meet the doctor immediately as it is a warning sign of breast cancer.
Upper back, shoulder, and neck pain
Are you suffering from neck, back, and shoulder pain regularly? If yes, then you should be alert. Because, in some women breast cancer is felt in the neck, back, and shoulders rather than in the chest or breast. For this reason, specialists check for the presence of tumours while treating chronic back pain that is unrelieved by physical therapy.
Changes in breast shape, size, or appearance
Remember that not all breast tumours cause a hard lump close enough to the surface to be noticeable. Instead, in some women, the shape and appearance of the breasts may change. Unexplained swelling or shrinkage of the breast only on one side, asymmetry of the breast, and a sudden change in the shape of the breast (oval) are some of the symptoms you should not ignore. They are the possible signs of breast cancer.
Changes in nipple appearance or sensitivity
One of the most common locations for a breast cancer tumour is just beneath the nipple, and it may cause a change in the appearance (inverted, flattened, or indented) and feel of the nipple itself. Some women may also experience a decrease in nipple sensitivity. Nipple (milky, bloody, watery) discharge that starts suddenly should also be taken on a serious note, as it is a warning sign of breast cancer. Nipple discharge can also be caused by an infection or any other health condition that requires immediate treatment. Therefore, if you have these changes, go and meet the doctor immediately. Nipple change is a direct giveaway for men with breast cancer
Red, swollen breasts
When your breasts hurt, you may assume it is typical soreness of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and when your breasts feel hot or look reddened, you may suspect it is some infection. But do remember! These are possible signs of breast cancer. Everyone’s breasts are different and change with age. You should know how your breasts normally look and feel to make it easier to determine the unusual changes in the breasts. In most cases, the symptoms may not indicate cancer. For example, breast pain is more common in benign breast conditions. The only way to conclude that you have breast cancer is through diagnostic tests. However, it is very important to know the warning signs as it is best to detect cancer at its early stages, where the survival rate is high.
Reference
Rebecca L, et.al. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. CA Cancer J Clin 2016; 7–30. 2015.
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