Warning signs of Breast Cancer

JC Sanasam *

Pix Source :: Wikipedia.org

Breast Cancer is another cancer that has been persistently and significantly increasing its incidence in the last two or three decades among women in Manipur, too, according to Prof Y Mohen, Department of Pathology, RIMS. Lisa F Baron, Chief of Mammography says, 'In the US one in eight American women will develop breast cancer by the age of 85.' Susan G Komen says, 'Increased use of mammography helps most women in the US to get diagnosed of breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms appear, resulting into successful treatment.'

However, not all breast cancers are detected through mammography. 'From birth to the age of 39, you have a 1 in 231 chance; age 40-59, a 1 in 25 chance, and a 1 in 15 between 60 and 70. Most people diagnosed have early stage disease; that's why it is important to be proactive: Perform regular self-examinations and know the warning signs', says Marissa Weiss, President and founder of Breast Cancer Organization US. For this breast cancer screening can be highly effective in detecting cancer. The most important factor in breast cancer screening is commitment and education.

Breast cancer screening involves three parts: monthly self-breast examinations, yearly clinical breast examinations by a health care provider and yearly mammograms beginning from the age of 40. However, it is important to understand that the three components of breast cancer screening are not 100 percent effective in discovering all breast cancers.

A constant vigilance is all what is needed to detect the earliest warning signs of this cancer. Each month you should perform a self-breast examination. It is best to perform the exam a week after the menstrual period. If you discover any of the findings listed below you should consult with your health care provider promptly so that additional testing may be performed, if needed. Findings that are of concern, according to what Marissa Weiss postulates, include:

Breast Lump

The most common warning sign is a lump or an area of stiffening that you feel or your doctor feels. It is usually felt hard and irregular, like a stone. It feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. Keep in mind that eight out of ten lumps turn out to be benign (swelling of other kind than of cancer or malignant type). So do not get panicky. But DO get it checked out by your doctor right away.

Breast Appearance Changes

Breasts are hormonally active organs; they constantly keep changing. Get to know your breasts, so you can spot the difference between changes that occur relating to hormones and changes out of the ordinary. If you notice that the contour of breast has changed, and become dimpled, twisted, or retracted, that is something to see your doctor about. Look also for bulges or concavities.

Nipple Inversion

A natural scaffolding of ligaments inside your breast helps hold your nipple in place. A cancer - which has spidery 'fingers' - can start to pull the tissue into itself, causing the nipple to retract and become inverted. Looking at your breast in the mirror should be a regular part of any self-exam; notice if your look different - such as if one is pulled in a different direction, or if there is any type of unusual discharge. Discharge can be your body's natural reaction when the nipple is squeezed. Signs of serious condition, such as breast cancer, include: Discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple, discharge that occurs in only one breast or discharge that has blood in it or is clear (not milk).

Breast Inflammation

A symptom that can come up rather quickly is breast inflammation. If your breast feels suddenly swollen, has a pink-red color and the skin looks like orange peel, get it checked out immediately. It could be just infection (which should have a different line of treatment like with antibiotics). But, inflammatory breast cancer - which comprises about five percent of all diagnosed breast cancer - also appears this way.

Armpit or Underarm Lump

There are lymph nodes under your arms that can also be affected by breast cancer. When you examine your breasts monthly, you should also feel under your arms beginning from the armpits downwards for lumps.

Your Instinct

'Never discount your instinct' Weis says. If you have a sense that something is wrong or out of the ordinary with your breasts - even if you cannot find a definite lump - go see your doctor and have it checked out with an exam and/or mammography.

Fatigue

Fatigue and loss of appetite are symptoms of later stage breast cancer. Of course, you can feel fatigued and run down for a whole host of reasons, including not enough of sleep. But if you have unusual fatigue and/or have back, hip or neck pain that you cannot trace , don't delay in seeing your doctor.

Age and Genetics

Age and genetics are actually risk factors, not warning signs, but when it comes to breast cancer, the more proactive you are the better. Women who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter) should talk to their doctor about an early screening plan. If you do not have a first-degree relative and your family does not have generations of women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50, you should do monthly self-exams, get yearly breast exams and start getting mammograms at the age of 40.