What are the symptoms of breast cancer is one of the most asked and one of the most important questions asked in medical science. Breast cancer is a hazardous disease which in stages if untreated can lead to sudden death. Hence, one must specifically understand this disease and know the major causes of breast cancer, the symptoms of breast cancer, the diagnosis methods, treatments, and preventive measures. In this post, we would help you in understanding some of the basic and most common symptoms of breast cancer. This information would help you in diagnosing the disorder in its early stages and prevent you from any further complications.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
While talking about the symptoms of breast cancer, even the minutest pain in the breasts must not be neglected. Usually the ignorance of pain in the breasts usually leads to formation of tumors and thus one must ensure that they take proper medical advice for even a slightest pain suffered in the breasts. Following are some of the common symptoms of breast cancer:
A change in how the breasts or nipple feel: Many a times you may notice an unnatural feel in the breasts and is considered to be one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer. In such a case, the patients may encounter following disorders:
- Change in skin texture of the breast
- Enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast
- Nipple tenderness
- Formation of lump or thickening in or near the breast
- Formation of lump or thickening underarm area
A change in the breast or nipple appearance: Another common symptom includes abnormal change in the breast or nipple appearance. These unusual changes then include:
- Any unexplained change in the size and shape of the breast
- Nipple turns slightly inwards or may get inverted
- Unexplained swelling of the breast
- Dimpling anywhere on the breast
- Unexplained shrinkage of the breast
- Sudden asymmetry of the breast
- Skin of breast, areola or nipple becomes scaly, red or swollen
Any nipple discharge (clear or bloody discharge): This symptom should not be confused with breastfeeding. Any unusual discharge from the nipple apart from milk is considered to be dangerous. This discharge then may include:
- Clear discharge from the nipple
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
Severe breast pain: Breast pain is another very common breast cancer symptom and is often neglected as chest or physical pain. Many a times, pain in the breasts is not a cause of cancer but sometimes it might be. In breast pain you may encounter:
- Breasts feel lumpy and tender before a period
- Benign breast lumps are painful
Breast may appear inflamed, red and hard to feel: This symptom usually is seen in the later stages if the breast cancer is not well treated in its early stages. This disorder may then include:
- Inflammation
- Breast becomes red and hard to feel
- Condition becomes sore and painful
- Skin may sometimes appear like peel of orange
- Pores get visible in the inflamed area
Rashes on and around the nipple: This symptom is usually known as the Paget’s disease and is a form of breast cancer. In this disorder, the breast suffers from problems like:
- Rashes on and around the nipple
- These rashes may appear scaly
- The area turns red and itchy
- The disorder looks similar to eczema
Presence of Lump: This is the most common symptom of breast cancer and is a primary method for diagnosis of breast cancer. These lumps in the breast include:
- Cysts sacs in the breast tissue that are filled with fluid
- Collection of a bunch of fibrous glandular tissues
- Swelling in the area nearby breast
The above mentioned signs will answer the most common question, what are the symptoms of breast cancer? Breast cancer is well treated if diagnosed in its early stages. Hence, the above signs and symptoms of breast cancer will help you recognize this disorder at its earliest and take proper medical treatments for the same. Hope the above information helps you in understanding breast cancer and preventing yourself from this hazardous disease.
Read more: