BREAST CANCER IN WOMEN; WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women world wild; and it does not respect age, race nor religion.

It occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumor, which can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Early detection of breast cancer greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and survival. Understanding the signs and symptoms is therefore essential for women of all ages.

One of the pathetic stories I have heard recently is the story of a twelve-year-old girl who was diagnosed of breast cancer. Honestly, the story of this young girl child really informed my quest to research more on the possible causes, signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and this article is a product of that journey.

While some symptoms are obvious, others can be subtle and easily ignored, making awareness a key factor in early diagnosis. Signs that must be looked out for are outlined here in this article.

1) 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭:

One of the most common and well-known signs of breast cancer is the presence of a lump or mass in the breast. These lumps are often painless, hard, and have irregular edges, although some may feel soft, round, or tender. A cancerous lump usually feels different from the surrounding breast tissue and does not move easily when touched. It is important to note that not all breast lumps are cancerous; many are benign conditions such as cysts or fibroadenomas. However, any new or unusual lump should be examined by a healthcare professional.

2) 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞:

Breast cancer may cause changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast. One breast may become noticeably larger or smaller than the other, or the shape may appear distorted. Swelling in part of the breast, even without a distinct lump, can also be a warning sign. These changes may occur gradually and are sometimes mistaken for normal hormonal changes, especially during menstruation. Persistent or unexplained changes should not be ignored.

3) 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭:

Changes in the skin covering the breast are another important symptom. These may include redness, dimpling, thickening, or puckering of the skin, giving it an appearance similar to an orange peel, known as peau d’orange. The skin may also feel warm or appear inflamed. In some cases, the skin may become itchy or develop sores that do not heal. These signs can indicate inflammatory breast cancer, 𝒂 𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆.

4) 𝐍𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬:

Changes involving the nipple can also signal breast cancer. These include nipple inversion (when the nipple turns inward), pain in the nipple area, or changes in nipple shape or position. Another concerning symptom is nipple discharge, especially if it is bloody, clear, or occurs without squeezing. While nipple discharge can be caused by non-cancerous conditions, unexplained discharge should always be investigated.

5) 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧:

Although breast cancer is often painless in its early stages, persistent breast or nipple pain can sometimes be a symptom. This pain may feel sharp, burning, or aching and does not go away with the menstrual cycle. Many women experience breast tenderness due to hormonal changes, but pain that is localized to one area and persists over time should be checked by a doctor.

6) 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚:

Breast cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes, 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒕 (𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒔) 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆. Swelling or a lump in these areas may be felt before a lump is detected in the breast itself. The swelling is usually painless and may be firm to the touch. This symptom indicates that the cancer may be spreading and requires immediate medical attention.

7) 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞:

Another possible sign of breast cancer is a change in how the breast feels. The breast tissue may become harder, thicker, or firmer in certain areas. Some women describe a feeling of heaviness or fullness in the breast. These changes may be subtle and are often only noticed during self-examination.

8) 𝐔𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬:

As breast cancer progresses, women may experience general symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weakness, or weight loss. These symptoms are not specific to breast cancer and can be caused by many other conditions. However, when they occur alongside breast-related changes, they may indicate that the cancer is advancing or spreading to other parts of the body.

ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ꜱʏᴍᴘᴛᴏᴍꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙʀᴇᴀꜱᴛ ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ

In advanced stages, breast cancer may spread to other organs, leading to additional symptoms. Bone pain, particularly in the back or hips, may occur if the cancer spreads to the bones. Shortness of breath or chronic cough may indicate lung involvement, while jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) can occur if the liver is affected. Neurological symptoms such as headaches or seizures may appear if the cancer spreads to the brain. These symptoms usually indicate late-stage disease and require urgent medical care.

Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes. Regular breast self-examinations, clinical breast examinations, and mammograms play a crucial role in identifying changes early. Women should become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts so they can recognize abnormalities quickly. While breast cancer can occur at any age, the risk increases as women get older, making routine screening especially important.

CONCLUSION

Make breast examinations a normal routine especially when you have a family history of breast cancer. It comes with a wide range of signs and symptoms, many of which may seem mild or unrelated at first. From lumps and skin changes to nipple abnormalities and general symptoms like fatigue, awareness is essential for early diagnosis. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔. Women should seek medical advice promptly if they notice any changes in their breasts. Education, awareness, and regular screening remain the most effective tools in the fight against breast cancer.

I hope you find this article helpful. Help to save someone by sharing the benefits you got from this article with them.

Written by ᴅʀ. ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ᴜᴄʜᴇ ɪʜᴇᴜᴋᴡᴜᴍᴇʀᴇ (ᴏ.ᴅ)