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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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Breast Cancer |
Breast Cancer??10/26/1999 |
What are the signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The first symptom of breast cancer that a woman, her doctor or partner finds usually is a lump. The characteristics of a cancerous lump are: it is hard, not well defined, and is immovable. Bleeding from the nipple is not a common sign of cancer but it can possibly indicate cancer especially if it is from one side only. Only 4% of nipple discharge on one side is cancer. Any change in breast size or shape can be due to non cancerous conditions or cancer. For example, if one breast becomes more pendulous or the nipples are at different levels. Swelling or edema occurs where the tumor is which causes the ligaments in the breast tissue to pull on the overlying skin causing dimpling of the skin. This is highly suggestive of breast cancer. In advanced cases this can lead to a pitted, orange-peel appearance of the breast skin called peau d`orange. When the tumor spreads along the ducts it may pull on the nipple causing it to invert or turn inward. When tumor cells are multiplying rapidly they need extra blood supply. A woman may notice more prominent veins running across the breast than usual. Sometimes, a woman notices a lump or several in her armpit before she feels a lump in her breast. This can be a symptom of breast cancer but it can also be due to noncancerous conditions. If the early symptoms are ignored and the lump grows to a large size, the skin may become ulcerated, become infected and have a bad odor. This is called ulceration and fungation. In the most advanced cases the normal lymph drainage is blocked causing the entire arm to swell called lymphedema.It is most unfortunate if breast cancer advances to many of these of signs and symptoms. A yearly mammogram for women age 40 and over is their lifeline. It is the best screening device we have to date to identify breast cancer before any of the above signs and symptoms occur. A mammogram can detect a tumor less than 1/4 inch or 1/2 cm. Whereas, a tumor usually cannot be felt until it is 1/2 inch or 1 cm. Also, a mammogram will detect deposits of calcium called calcifications that look like white dots on the x-ray. The calcifications cannot be felt but many times are indications of a malignancy. Early detection is the key to longer survival and cure.
Your question is not frequently asked although I`m sure many women wonder about symptoms that occur in their breasts. Any changes in your breast should be reported to your physician and checked out to be diagnosed. Most of the time signs and symptoms turn out not be cancer but it is imperative to find out. Thank you for writing.
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Janet Trigg, RN, MSN, EdD Formerly: College of Nursing University of Cincinnati |
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