breast cancer symptoms

Breast cancer is a malignant growth that starts in the breast tissue and can occur in both men and women.
What are the Breast Cancer Signs?

Regular breast examination is important for women, as it assists in the detection of cancerous growths because in early stages, breast cancer may not manifest any symptom. In very early stages of cancer growth, women may experience any of the following.

1) Noticeable change in shape, size, texture and feel of the breast and nipple.

2) A painless hard lump with uneven edges near armpit area or in the breast.

3) Presence of unusual fluids, such as pus, on the nipple.

Women in advanced breast cancer stages may experience weight loss, pain and discomfort in the breast area, bone pain, skin ulcers in the breast, and swelling of one arm.

Types of Breast Cancer?

There are many types of breast cancers, out of which some are very rare.

1) Ductal carcinoma in situ (intraductal cancer): A pre-invasive breast cancer, where the cells lining the ducts change to look like cancer cells.

2) Lobular carcinoma in situ: In this, abnormal cells start growing in lobules, increasing risk of developing invasive breast cancer later in life.

Some less common breast cancer types include:

1) Inflammatory breast cancer, which makes the skin on the breast feel warm and look red.

2) Paget disease of the nipple, which starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple, moving to the areola.

3) Triple-negative breast cancer, in which breast cancer cells progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors.

4) Phyllodes tumor, which develops in the connective tissue (stroma) of the breast.

5) Angiosarcoma, which starts in the cells that line lymph vessels and blood vessels.

How is breast cancer treated?

Risk factors of breast cancer are uncontrollable, so awareness helps the most in fighting the disease. In general, having a healthy lifestyle and diet reduces a person’s probability of getting cancer. Early detection of the cancer increases the cure rate and thus, screening mammography, clinical breast examination and breast self-examination (BSE) are highly recommended.

The treatment of cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer and its sensitivity to certain hormones. The general breast cancer treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgical operation.