Breast Cancer Symptoms, Do You Know Them

The first symptom of breast cancer for many women is a lump in their breast. However many women have breast lumps and 9 out of 10 are benign. That means that they are not cancerous. Most benign breast lumps are

* Areas of breast cell changes, causing lumpiness that is more obvious just before a period, particularly in women over 35
* Cysts – sacs of fluid in the breast tissue, which are very common
* Fibroadenoma – a collection of fibrous glandular tissue (these are more common in younger women)

Common symptoms of breast cancer include:

1. A change in how the breast or nipple feels
2. A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
3. Nipple tenderness
4. A change in how the breast or nipple looks
5. A change in the size or shape of the breast
6. A nipple turned inward into the breast
7. The skin of the breast, areola, or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. It may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange.
8. Nipple discharge (fluid)
9. A rash on a nipple or surrounding area
10.A swelling or lump in your armpit
11.A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump

Other conditions other than breast cancer can cause breasts to change in size. During pregnancy and menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of non cancerous (benign) breast changes include fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
The following are used for diagnosis:
Ultrasound
Biopsy
Fine-needle aspiration
Mammogram
Clinical breast exam

By: Mercy Maranga

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Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on cancer and its treatment Cancer