Breast cancer is cancer that originates in the cells of the breast, typically the in the lobules or the ducts of the breast. Although breast cancer mainly affects females, approximately 1 percent of all U.S. breast cancer cases are diagnosed in male patients. According to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer survival rates have significantly risen thanks to education and earlier detection of the following symptoms:
1. Lumps in the breast
A lump in the breast is a common symptom of breast cancer. Lumps form when cancer cells create a tumor or lump that can be felt or seen with an X-Ray machine, or during a self exam. While not all lumps in the breast are cancerous in nature, many are benign cysts, any change in breast tissue should be examined by your doctor as soon as possible.
2. Nipple retraction or inversion
Another common breast cancer symptom is the sudden inward turning (inversion) of a nipple. These visible changes in a nipple’s shape often occurs due to tissue inflammation or the presence of cicatrices behind the nipple, causing it to pull inward. The inverted nipple also occurs when a tumor forms in the ducts that deliver milk to the nipples.
3. Skin irritation or dimpling
Irritation and dimpling of the breast tissues are also early warning signs of breast cancer that are characterized by a swollen, orange-peel-like skin that may be itchy, red, and irritated. The cause of this symptom is mainly inflammation in the skin’s lymph vessels and skin. Although skin irritation or dimpling can be caused by other benign factors, such as fat necrosis, it is crucial to visit a doctor upon the onset of this symptom.
4. Nipple discharge
Though many scientists have debated against nipple discharge alone as a symptom of breast cancer, it is considered a primary symptom of breast cancer. The discharge differs from the normal milky discharge in breastfeeding mothers. This discharge may appear green, yello, brown, bloody, or even milky (in non breastfeeding women), taking on a sticky and thick consistency.
Breast cancer may form due to many contributing factors, such as family history, presence of the inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, females of advanced age, or those with a personal history of radiation therapy, breast conditions, or a former breast cancer diagnosis.
Subscribe to UStyle Magazine and stay Up-To-Date and In-The-Know with the latest!
