Breast Cancer

Majority of women suffer more from breast cancer than any other types of cancer. However, despite extensive research and studies, there hasn’t been any concrete explanation as to why someone develops the risk and another does not.

Medical experts have made numerous attempts to uncover all the internal and external elements that may be responsible for increasing one’s breast cancer risks. Internal elements are those things that can be found inside the body which are capable of affecting our health, such as illness, hormones, genes, emotions, and thoughts. External elements are the things that can be found in the environment like water, food, people, air, noise, and much more.

Both elements can increase the possibility of getting breast cancer. Thus, they are considered as risk factors. But most risk factors are controllable, and can be made work for us instead of against us.

Symptoms of breast cancer differ widely. There are even some that do not exhibit any symptoms at all. But the most common telltale signs of this dreaded disease include: a single lump that is firm and usually painless; an area on the underarm or breast swells and appears different from other areas; veins on one breast may appear more prominent than those on the other; the nipple may become inverted, may have rashes, may change its texture, or may excrete discharges; a depression on the breast surface may appear.

While most women may observe some lumps on their breasts, most of these are not malignant. The early stages of breast cancer does not cause pain to the person. Moreover, not all lumps can be detected by touch. Thus, regular mammograms should be undertaken to ensure optimum breast health. An individual who may have observed some breast cancer symptoms that do not seem to disappear should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

If you see a lump develop near or on your breast, have it examined by your doctor right away. Even though majority of these are benign, you still need to have them checked to ensure that it is not cancer. Your doctor may suggest a mammogram or an ultrasound. A lump that is a cyst that contains fluid, the doctor may remove it by draining the fluid through a needle. If the lump is solid, he would need to get a tissue sample to check if it’s is benign or not.

Pain does not always suggest the presence of breast cancer. Most women with healthy breasts have tender breast just before their menstrual periods. Also, some benign lumps are painful, but they are actually harmless. Some breast cancers though do bring pain. If you’re worried about any pain, it is advisable to see your doctor about it.

The inflammatory breast cancer is a rare breast cancer type. This does not possess a distinctive lump or mass. Moreover, the absence of mass makes this type difficult to detect even by a mammogram. The lymph vessels of the breast, as well as the skin, are permeated by the inflammatory breast cancer cells. As soon as these lymph vessels are blocked by the cancer cells, the breast then usually becomes swollen and red. Other likely symptoms that may come with this breast cancer type include swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone or under the arm on the side of the affected breast.

Since inflammatory breast cancer is not easily detectable, diagnose is based on biopsy results. This type of breast cancer is known to develop rapidly and necessitates aggressive kind of treatment.

It is important to regularly do breast massage in order to prevent and detect the onset of breast cancer. After all, if we really want to promote breast health, we always can.