Breast Cancer Symptoms

Breast cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in the United States and world wide, is a type of cancer which affects the breast tissue. More common in women than it is in men, it is a disease that may strike either sex at any time of their life.

Fortunately, there are some symptoms of breast cancer which can be noted and evaluated that will give you a sign that something may be wrong with your body.

Among the signs and symptoms of breast cancer which can be noted by the victim, the first will normally be a lump or thickening in the breast tissue that feels different than the normal, or surrounding breast tissue. Merck Manual says that over eighty percent of the total cases of breast cancer are discovered through a self breast examination by the client.

The first sign which is seen medically will also be the lump as detected by a mammogram and examination by a physician.

Aside from the lump or thickening, there are other indicators of breast cancer, or breast cancer symptoms which may occur. These will primarily include breast tissue changes. Changes in the shape of the breast, as well as the size may indicate cancer. Inverted nipples, along with nipple discharge from a single breast may be an indicator of cancerous cells.

Further indicators of breast cancer may include dimpling of the skin, or pain. Although pain in the breast is not considered to be a reliable indicator of the presence of cancer in the breast, it does mean that some type of health issue with the tissue of the breast is present. Breast cancer symptoms may be rampant, or may in fact be completely absent aside from the lump or mass found in the breast tissue.

Some types of breast cancer symptoms may be a network of symptoms, as in the case of Paget's disease. The Paget's disease syndrome may present with redness and flaking skin of the nipple, along with tingling, burning, pain, increased breast sensitivity and may have discharge present in some cases. About fifty percent of the people who have Paget's disease will present with a lump or thickening in breast tissue.

In some cases, there are minimal signs at all, until weight loss takes place and on examination an occult, or hidden breast cancer is underway.

Most breast cancer symptoms may also be symptoms of another type of breast disorder, and as such do not necessarily mean that you've got breast cancer. Multiple other disorders, including mastitis, fibrous tumors and fibroadenoma are also quite common. This does not mean however that any new symptoms of breast cancer which are seen should ever be ignored.

Any time you have symptoms that all isn't well with your body, its absolutely time to check them out with a health care provider.

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