More women die of breast cancer than any other cancer, and men, although in a distinct minority with barely one percent of the cases, are not immune. According to 2019 statistics released by Cancer.net, a doctor-approved patient website, 42,260 people will die of breast cancer by the end of the year. This ubiquitous disease is on the rise among women, despite advances in medicine and treatment measures. Among the cancers among women, breast cancer trails only skin cancer as the most diagnosed. There will be 268,250 women in this country diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with almost 63,000 with in situ (regarded as non-invasive) breast cancer.
As is the case with most cancers, the sooner it is detected the better the chances of vanquishing it. Breast cancer should not be allowed to linger for long, because time is on its side as it spreads through the lymph nodes from an ignominious start as a small tumor in the breast tissue.
The hard fact is that it can’t be treated if it isn’t diagnosed in the first place, and we bring you seven detectable signs of breast cancer that will give you a head start.
—Seven Signs of Breast Cancer—
- Breast or Chest Pain…
Discomfort or pain occurring continuously, regularly or frequently in the breast itself or generally in the chest area, should not be ignored and a good reason to call a doctor. Your family physician may be the first line of defense with a referral to a specialist. The reason for this pain and discomfort, if it is breast cancer, are those “seed-like” tumors or lumps.
That brings us to the second sign.
- Lump or Lumps in the Breast…
You might be able to discover these lumps in a self-examination that should be performed as part of your weekly routine just to be safe. This will be confirmed by a doctor in a breast examination or mammogram. This is commonly regarded as the first warning sign, and pressing areas of the breast with your fingers may detect small rigid, hard and tender lumps that do not move under pressure. You may find these lumps in the armpit area just above the breasts, in or near the collarbone or surrounding the nipples. Lumps may be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), which will be determined via testing.
- Itchy, Inflamed and Tender breasts…
Itchy breasts maybe just a skin condition, but they may also be a sign that the breasts are tender or inflamed resulting in persistent scratching. In that event, you may want to see a doctor other than a dermatologist. Possible accompanying symptoms may be a discharge from the nipples when not breastfeeding and a notable difference in the texture of the breast tissue.
- Changing Shape or Appearance of Breast(s)…
Because the breast tissue often changes or expands when cancer is present, you may notice that there is a difference in shape or size. There are cases when this tissue growth pushes the breast out of the bra cup. Also, the nipples themselves may change in appearance, flattening or inverting to a noticeable degree.
- Nipples Less Sensitive or More Inflamed…
Another early sign of breast cancer may be indicated by changes in the sensitivity of the nipples, which may also be accompanied by one or both being inflamed or taking on a crusty or scaly appearance of the nipple itself.
- Inflammation, Color Changes and Hotness…
Inflammation of the breast, which may promote swelling or redness, is another sign closely related to some of the previous symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. A purple coloration may also appear. There may be soreness or “hotness” in the underlying tissue in the breast, which may be provoked by tumors pushing against the tissue in the breast.
- Stiffness, Pain in Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulder…
Symptoms of breast cancer in women isn’t all about the breasts. There may be a deep and throbbing pain in the bones of the upper torso. This is another sign of the spreading cancer to the upper rib cage and spine. You could feel it in either shoulder, as well as the neck and shoulder.
Needless to say, any of the above seven signs of breast cancer should be taken seriously. That means you should call the doctor immediately.
Dr. Alexander Salerno, through Salerno Medical Associates, has been Since 2001, Dr. Alexander Salerno has led Salerno Medical Associates in community outreach in Orange, NJ, and adjacent urban communities on patient education, in various medical and behavioral health issues, including alcohol addiction.
