Breast Cancer Signs and Signals

Breast cancer has a nasty habit of remaining hidden. We do not get much of an alarm bell or a warning flag in advance of it emerging.

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 in breasts are not cancerous. But if you do find one, it is very important to have your doctor examine it as soon as possible.

For some women, breast cancer initially presents as a bump under the arm or above the collarbone that doesn't go away. As the disease progresses, other symptoms will appear such as nipple inversion or discharge, or changes to the skin and surface of the breast.

Discharge from the breast is quite common and is rarely a symptom of cancer. However, if there is blood in the discharge, or if it happens in only one breast, then a physician would be more concerned. Nipple inversion is also very common, but if it occurs suddenly, it should also be brought to the attention of 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.

Changes to the skin, such as puckering or changes in texture, or redness, can also appear when breast cancer is present. Other diseases may also cause any of these effects, but it is important to rule out breast cancer by consulting with a doctor.

Breast cancer can take months or even years to develop. Once diagnosed, it's crucial to begin treatment immediately, as it is much more difficult to treat cancer once it has begun to spread throughout the body in what is called metastastic spread.

Some of the earliest signs of breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram test. Women over 40 should have this test done once per year. The test uses an electronic scanner to examine breast tissue. If something abnormal shows up, contact your physician to determine if it is something to worry about and seek treatment for.

Other ways to detect abnormalities include ultrasolography and manual examinations. A proper physical examination includes visual inspection as well as palpitation or gentle pressure. The exam should also look at the armpits and the collarbone area. You can learn to do this yourself, or your healthcare provider can do it for you. He or she will palpate for a thickening of the skin or a lump in the breast area. Finally, the only really definitive method to diagnose breast cancer is to test the cells themselves. This is done through a biopsy, in which a tiny piece of the tissue or lump is removed and examined in a laboratory.

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

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

* Discharge from the nipple

* Changes to the nipples, such as inversion

* Skin surface changes on the breast

Don't take chances with your health. If you notice any of these breast cancer symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Article Source: http://www.christiannotepad.com

Mabel Dugmore is an author for a variety of well-known online magazines, on health and wellness and hot products topics.
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