Overview of breast cancer
Female breast cancer is a disease in which the number of cells in the breast begins to expand and becomes uncontrollable; the type of cancer is determined by the cells that have turned into cancer. It is the second most frequent cancer in women, behind skin cancer, which is the most common. When a mass of cells called a tumour develops in the breasts, the sickness begins. A benign tumour is seen in various phases, indicating that the tumor in breast has the potential to develop but will not spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer spreads when it travels through blood arteries and/or lymph vessels to other parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. In most cases, lymph nodes around the breasts are exposed; however, other organs such as the liver, lungs, bones, and brain may also be affected. A woman diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which is the most advanced degree, has cancer in many bodily parts. Breast cancer can return to the same breast or surrounding lymph nodes and spread to other parts of the body. A distant recurrence, also known as a metastatic recurrence, occurs when cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
Symptoms for breast cancer
● Breast lumps or thickening
Cancer lump on breast can exist in different forms, sizes and shapes. Self-evaluation and examination will help you to find changes and consult a doctor if you feel the presence of lumps and seem different from the surrounding tissue or from before. Try to keep a check on your breast at least once each month so that you are able to detect changes if any.
The best time would be to examine after the beginning of your menstrual cycle. In case of menopause, try to decide on a specific date to self-examine your breast every month. Understand the difference between thickness and lumps because some women tend to have thicker skin on the breast, and if you have it, there are higher chances of noticing lumps. Still, lumpiness can be caused due to benign tumours but make sure to not take a risk and take proper consideration and advice from your doctor if noticing anything unusual.
● Nipple discharge
Most nipple discharges are normal, but it could be a symptom of breast cancer when observed in abnormal instances. There is a great possibility if it is supported by other signs such as a lump or mass. Another sign that indicates an abnormality in discharge occurs from only one breast or spontaneously without being touched or stimulated. Common causes of breast lump are when you notice a milky discharge from the nipple during breastfeeding, but you should consider it if nipple discharge is caused at times when not breastfeeding. Unusual discharge can be a possible symptom of breast cancer. It could be clear or blood.
● Changes in size and shape of the breast
Changes could be observed in the form of puckering or dimpling, or you notice a change in the size from what they were before. The menstrual cycle affects the appearance of breasts in some people, and it might become uncomfortable to lie down with swelling. This is usually normal and not a direct indication of breast cancer, but if you notice changes at other times and notice swelling on one breast, you should take advice from a doctor. If the swelling is normal, you will find both breasts to be symmetrical, which means that both will appear swollen and Similar.
● Inverted nipple
Mostly the inverted nipples symptoms are benign and do not necessarily have something to do with breast cancer. Still, you should seek medical advice from your doctor if you notice the nipple recently turned inward along with other symptoms related to breast cancer. You can easily understand breast cancer nipple changes. In case of this symptom, the nipple will be pulled towards the breast instead of pointing outwards.
● Peeling, scaling or flaking skin
You do not have to immediately panic if you notice changes on your breasts or anywhere around it. This is one of the symptoms of breast cancer that can also lead to other skin conditions, eczema or atopic dermatitis.
● Skin rash on the breasts
Rashes are symptoms in cases of inflammatory breast cancer. This type is more of an aggressive form of the disease and has direct effects on the lymph vessel, and causes breast cancer skin changes. The most common symptom includes lumps, but that is not the case in inflammatory breast cancer. This kind mainly results in your breasts becoming warm, swollen and red. For more reference as to how it looks, it is similar to a cluster of insect bites and does not cause irritation in most cases.
● Changes in breast skin
Along with other visual symptoms like rashes in inflammatory breast cancer, other changes in relation to the appearance are that you might notice a pitting or dimpling; there may be physical changes due to underlying inflammation.