Breast Cancer Symptoms and Metastases
At the early stages breast cancer metastases may still not be noticeable. There is no pain or unpleasant feelings; therefore, it’s important to perform regular self-examinations to find out if any changes happened. Every woman needs to learn how to examine her breast properly to discover a possible problem when there is still a chance to deal with it.
However, in most cases breast cancer metastases are found during mammograms or when the lump suddenly becomes obvious to the woman. The lumps located slightly above the collarbone or in the armpit are possible signs of breast cancer. Other symptoms of breast cancer include nipple inversion, discharge from the nipples and alterations in the color and texture of the skin of the breast.
• Although most lumps found appear to be benign, it’s strongly recommended to consult your doctor to eliminate any doubts.
• Breast discharge occurs in many women and should not by itself be understood as one of breast cancer symptoms. However, if the discharge is bloody, or it comes from only one breast, it should be assessed by your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you had nipple inversion from birth, there is nothing to worry about. However, if that developed recently, it can be one of the signs of breast cancer.
• Certain changes in the breast skin, such as puckering, redness and some others are likely to be caused by particular conditions of your breast. However, you need to have breast screening to make sure these are not symptoms of breast cancer.
It can take months or even years for breast cancer to develop. Each breast cancer stage has some peculiarities that may indicate the disease. Breast metastasis is highly undesirable, as it lowers the chances of a patient to overcome the disease, so you are recommended to see a doctor if any of the following conditions occur:
• You found a breast lump.
• The breast lump you found during self-examination doesn’t seem to go away after a couple of weeks or becomes bigger.
• You have nipple discharge.
• The tissues of your breast are changing.
Swelling and redness of your breast may not be breast cancer symptoms but require your attention as they may indicate infection.
• In case this is really an infection, you need to consult your doctor as soon as possible and receive recommendations on its treatment.
• In case your condition is worsening – you experience severe swelling, acute pain in the breast and can’t reach your doctor, a visit to the nearest emergency room is strongly recommended.
In case breast screening showed abnormalities, you should go to your doctor immediately, as timing may affect the success of the treatment.
In 1% of all cases, symptoms of breast cancer are found in men. Although this is extremely rare and is likely to happen with people older than 65, any unusual lump developed over a certain period of time should be a matter of concern.
There is one kind of breast cancer connected with the skin of your breast changing color and texture over a short period of time. Inflammatory breast cancer occurs due to the lymph vessels being blocked by cancerous cells. The main symptoms of this kind of breast cancer include swelling, redness, and feeling of warmth. The build-up of fluid leads to heaviness, aching, burning, increased breast size, its tenderness or inverted nipples. A lump may also develop.
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