Breast Cancer Signs and Signals

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.

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.

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.

Redness or swelling of the breast might indicate an infection in the breast tissue. Get prompt treatment for any type or cause of infection. If you notice swelling, redness, or strong pain in your armpit, breast, or under your shoulder, do not hesitate to see your doctor right away. One of the keys to success in treating breast cancer is early detection.

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.

Breast cancer can slowly develop over months or years. However, once it is clearly diagnosed, it is crucial to start treatment as soon as practicable. Breast cancer can metastasize and thus spread throughout the body, and the goal is to begin treatment before this has a chance to happen.

Mammogram tests can often detect the earliest signs of breast cancer. Once per year women over 40 should have this test done, which involves an electronic scan of the breast tissue. If anything abnormal is found, don't panic; rather, set up an appointment immediately with your doctor to do further evaluation, and perhaps to set your mind at ease.

Ultrasolography and physical examinations are the other two methods for detecting abnormalities. Physical exams should include visual inspection as well as gentle physical pressure or palpitation. Each exam will also check the collarbone area and the armpits. You can ask your health care provider how to do this yourself, and there are books and videos widely available to help. Or your provider can do it for you, by palpating for a lump or thickening of the skin in the breast area. Finally, the most definitive method for diagnosis is to examine a small number of breast cells directly. A biopsy can remove a tiny piece of the lump and a specialist will examine it in a laboratory.

It's imperative that women are aware of the symptoms of breast cancer:

* A lump or lumps under the arm, in the breast, or above the collarbone that persists for more than a week

* Discharge from a nipple

* Nipple inversion or similar changes in the nipple

* Changes to the skin surface of the breast

If you notice any of these symptoms yourself, don't take a chance with your health. See your doctor right away to evaluate the possibility of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Articles: http://www.internetionalmedia.com/Category/Breast Cancer/

Mabel Dugmore is an author for some of today's hottest web magazines, on health and wellness and hot products topics.
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