Breast Cancer Signs And Steps To Take
Breast cancer can strike at any age. Therefore, knowing the breast cancer signs and symptoms is very important, in addition to the actions you should take to catch cancer early in its course. Only your doctor can determine for certain whether any signs or symptoms you are experiencing are being caused by cancer. It is imperative to contact your physician immediately in the event you discover any of these signs.
One of the best factors in beating breast cancer is early detection. One of the best methods of detection is the monthly self exam. A lump on the breast is one of the primary breast cancer signs. If you do a tactile exam of your breasts every month, you will be more skilled in detecting when something feels different and if something does, immediately go to your doctor to report it.
Finding lump is only one of the breast cancer signs among many other that you should know. You should consult your doctor immediately in case you find that your breast size or shape has changed. It is possible that you may have some dimpling of the skin on the breast. There may be a discharge from one nipple or your nipples may become inverted. In all these cases, you should visit and consult your doctor.
Paget's disease of the breast, a disease that results in flakes on the nipple and redness of the skin, is often a leading indicator of breast cancer. As Paget's disease becomes more advanced, more symptoms become apparent. These include increased sensitivity, itching skin, burning sensations, and general pain. If you have encountered any or all of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor so that you can be properly examined to determine if you have this disease.
Sometimes other symptoms can signal breast cancer. If you have lost weight quickly and there is no reason for it, that may be a symptom. Other symptoms are unexplained fever and chills lasting more than a few days, pain in the joints or bones, and jaundice. Sometimes there are neurological symptoms as well. So all of these are things you should watch out for.
Remember that although you may experience certain symptoms, more than likely breast cancer will not be the cause. But you should still take any symptoms seriously. Until you consult with your physician, you should not become unduly upset. Just make an appointment so that your doctor can determine if there is a possible problem and if so, how to proceed.
Breast cancer can strike at any age. One of the best factors in beating breast cancer is early detection. One of the best methods of detection is the monthly self exam. A lump on the breast is one of the primary breast cancer signs. Paget's disease of the breast is a disease that can sometimes indicate breast cancer. It causes skin changes in the breast such as redness and flakes on the nipple of the breast that is affected. Occasionally other symptoms can be a sign of breast cancer. Unexplained and rapid weight loss is sometimes caused by breast cancer.
Published August 30th, 2008
Filed in Women
