Changes in the breast
It is extremely important that women perform monthly self breast exams to look for lumps, skin changes, and nipple discharge. These exams are not difficult and require less than ten minutes. In order to make sure you perform the exam monthly, mark the same date on your calendar each month to remind you that an exam is needed.
What changes will I see in my breast if I have breast cancer? Early in the cancer’s life there are very few obvious changes in the breast that can be detected by the naked eye. As the cancer grows through its initial stages, only X-rays or ultrasounds can detect it. This does NOT mean you should not perform breast exams on yourself. As described below, these exams are crucial for identifying any changes that occur in your breast between visits to the doctor. Moreover, on occasion, self breast exams have detected subtle changes in the breast that not even X-ray or ultrasound could identify.
Lump(s)
As the cancer becomes larger women often notice a lump in their breast. This is the most common initial finding in breast cancer. It is important to note that occasionally the lump will appear under the arm or above the collarbone rather than in the breast itself.
Skin changes
Other changes that can arise as the cancer grows are alterations in skin color and nipple appearance. While skin changes in the breast are typically due to a problem with the skin, there is a chance that they may be the result of an underlying cancer and therefore merit evaluation. In addition, often the nipple will flip inward as a cancer develops in the breast. It is important to realize that many women’s nipples are naturally inverted. This does not mean they have cancer. Rather, it is the change from a nipple that points out to one that points inward that suggests cancer.
Nipple discharge
Finally, at times breast cancer can cause the nipple to express fluid. Like skin changes, most often nipple discharge does not represent cancer. However, the possibility that it does means that it is still important to bring it to the attention of your doctor. This is particularly the case if the discharge is bloody or arises from only one breast.
AUTHOR: Joshua S. Easter
MORE INFO: Excerpted from "Breast Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment"
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