BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer Signs and Signals By: Mabel Dugmore
. In a perfect world, we'd get prior warning when breast cancer was about to occur. An alarm would sound, a red flag would wave or we'd receive a letter in the mail. But the real world, unfortunately, isn't quite so thoughtful.Early breast cancer presents no outward symptoms. There is no pain, and no warning. In fact, the only means of detected breast cancer in its preliminary stage is by finding a lump or an abnormality.

. This can be done by performing breast self-examination, or by way of a yearly mammogram.Most lumps that are found in the breast are not cancerous. However, it is essential to have a doctor examine the lump immediately.Some women find that breast cancer is indicated by a bump above the collarbone or under the arm. This bump might be persistent, and then other symptoms may appear. These can include changes to the skin and surface of the breast, as well as nipple inversion or discharge.Discharge from the breast is quite common and is rarely a symptom of cancer.

. However, if there is blood in the discharge, or if it happens in only one breast, then a physician would be more concerned. Nipple inversion is also very common, but if it occurs suddenly, it should also be brought to the attention of your doctor.If you notice swelling or redness of the breast, this might indicate an infection of the tissue. Quick treatment is advised for any type of infection. Similarly, if you find strong pain, redness, or swelling in your shoulder, armpit, or breast, seek the advice of your health care provider. Breast cancer is most easily treated when it is detected early.

.Where breast cancer is present, changes may occur to the skin such as redness, puckering and changes to texture. There are some skin diseases that may cause a similar effect, however it's important to have a professional consultation to rule out any possibility of cancer.Breast cancer can take months or even years to develop. Once diagnosed, it's crucial to begin treatment immediately, as it is much more difficult to treat cancer once it has begun to spread throughout the body in what is called metastastic spread.

.Some of the earliest signs of breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram test. Women over 40 should have this test done once per year. The test uses an electronic scanner to examine breast tissue. If something abnormal shows up, contact your physician to determine if it is something to worry about and seek treatment for.

.In addition to a mammogram, manual examination and ultrasolography may also be used to detect abnormalities. A complete physical examination of the breast includes a visual inspection and palpitation, including the armpits and areas around the collarbone. Your healthcare provider may palpate for a lump or feel for a thickening in the skin. A biopsy, where a piece of the lump or tissue is removed, is the only definite method to test the cells and provide a positive diagnosis.Here are some of breast cancer's most common symptoms:

* A lump in the breast, above the collarbone or under the arm, that stays for longer than a week

* Nipple discharge

* Changes to the nipples, such as inversion

* Changes on the breast's skin surfaceDuring your regular self-examinations, if you find any of these symptoms, don't take a chance, but see your doctor as soon as you can to determine if what you have found requires treatment.
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Warning Symptoms of Breast Cancer By: Mabel Dugmore
.In a perfect world, we'd get prior warning when breast cancer was about to occur. An alarm would sound, a red flag would wave or we'd receive a letter in the mail. But the real world, unfortunately, isn't quite so thoughtful.Early breast cancer does not reveal outward symptoms of its presence. No warnings and likely no pain.
. The only method for detecting breast cancer in its early stage is to find a lump or other abnormality. Most of the time this comes about from a breast self-examination, or from a regular mammogram test.Of course, most breast lumps are not cancerous. But it is still imperative to immediately have the lump examined by a doctor.Some women find that breast cancer is indicated by a bump above the collarbone or under the arm.
.This bump might be persistent, and then other symptoms may appear. These can include changes to the skin and surface of the breast, as well as nipple inversion or discharge.Rarely will a discharge be a symptom of cancer, and in fact is quite common. However, if you notice blood in the discharge, or if it only occurs in one breast, then see a doctor immediately. Inversion of nipples is also quite common, but if it occurs suddenly, check with your doctor.Swelling or redness in the breast may be an indication of an infection present in the breast tissue.
.Any infections, regardless of the type or cause, should be treated promptly. See your doctor right away if you notice redness, swelling or severe pain in your breast, in your armpit, or under your shoulder.Sometime a change in skin, such as textural changes or puckering, can appear alongside breast cancer. Of course, many other diseases can also cause these effects, so it is valuable to eliminate the possibility of breast cancer by having an exam by a doctor.It can take months or years for breast cancer to develop.
.But once it is diagnosed, it is very important to begin treatment as soon as possible. The goal is to treat the cancer before it goes through metastastic spread and affects other parts of the body.Some of the earliest signs of breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram test. Women over 40 should have this test done once per year. The test uses an electronic scanner to examine breast tissue. If something abnormal shows up, contact your physician to determine if it is something to worry about and seek treatment for.In addition to a mammogram, manual examination and ultrasolography may also be used to detect abnormalities. A complete physical examination of the breast includes a visual inspection and palpitation, including the armpits and areas around the collarbone. Your healthcare provider may palpate for a lump or feel for a thickening in the skin. A biopsy, where a piece of the lump or tissue is removed, is the only definite method to test the cells and provide a positive diagnosis.Here are some of breast cancer's most common symptoms:
* A lump in the breast, above the collarbone or under the arm, that stays for longer than a week
* Discharge from a nipple
* Nipple inversion or similar changes in the nipple
* Skin surface changes on the breastDon't take chances with your health. If you notice any of these breast cancer symptoms, see your doctor right away.
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