With so much information out there and not sure who or what information to trust, it can be misleading to identify if the symptoms you are experiencing are breast cancer or something else. Many people today run to the internet and type in their symptoms hoping to get a diagnosis. But anyone who has ever tried it, knows far too well how discouraging the search results might be. Instead of guessing let’s learn more about breast cancer. Shall we?
What are the early signs of breast cancer?
Early on, you may notice a change in your breast after a monthly breast exam or when minor abnormal pain doesn’t seem to go away. Common symptoms of breast cancer include:
A lump in your breast or underarm that doesn’t go away. This is often the first symptom of breast cancer. Your doctor can usually see a lump on a mammogram long before you can see or feel it.
Pain and tenderness, although lumps don’t usually hurt. Some may cause a prickly feeling.
Swelling in your armpit or near your collarbone. This could mean breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes in that area. Swelling may start before you feel a lump, so let your doctor know if you notice it.
Breast changes. Such as a difference in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of your breast.
A flat or indented area on your breast. This could happen because of a tumour that you can’t see or feel.
Changes in your nipple. like one that pulls inward, Is dimpled, burns, itches or develops sores
Unusual nipple discharge. It could be clear, bloody, or another colour.
A marble-like area under your skin that feels different from any other part of either breast.
What are the types and symptoms?
Breast cancer is more like a general term and there are several kinds. Most of which share symptoms. The types and symptoms include:
1. Ductal carcinoma symptoms
It is the most common type of breast cancer and begins in your ducts. About 1 in 5 new breast cancers are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This means you have cancer in the cells that line your ducts, but it hasn’t spread into nearby tissue. Though you may not notice any symptoms of ductal carcinoma. This is also known to cause a breast lump or bloody discharge.
2. Lobular carcinoma symptoms
This is the second most common type of breast cancer and it begins in the glands that make milk, called lobules. Symptoms include: Fullness, thickening, or swelling in one area and nipples that are flat or point inward (inverted)
3. Invasive breast cancer symptoms
This cancer spreads from where it began into the tissues around it and is called invasive or infiltrating. You may notice:
A lump in your breast or armpit. You might not be able to move it separately from your skin or move it at all.
One breast looks different from the other
A rash or skin that’s thick, red, or dimpled like an orange
Skin sores
Swelling in your breast
Small, hard lymph nodes that may be stuck together or stuck to your skin
Pain in one spot
4. Metastatic breast cancer symptoms
With