How to Spot Early Signs of Breast Cancer

Executive summary about Signs of Breast Cancer by Christiene Bowden

Mammography and self exams have saved so many lives and it can save even more, provided women perform their monthly self exams and schedule their annual mammograms.

It pays to know the early signs of breast cancer or what to look for.

Two leading health agencies in the US, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, have outlined a number of warning signs that one can look for upon performing a breast self-exam:

1.) A noticeable change in how the breast looks; its size and shape.

2.) A thickening of underlying tissue or the presence of a lump in areas surrounding the breast or in the underarms.

3.) Feeling of discomfort, like a warm sensation around the breast region.

4.) A rash on the breast, especially on the nipple.

5.) A sunken nipple or nipple turned inward.

6.) Pain on the nipple or tenderness when touched.

7.) Change in the size and shape of the nipple.

8.) Watery discharge or blood coming out of the nipple.

9.) Swelling or dimpling of the skin; irritation or redness.

Pain is not a conclusive gauge that there is breast cancer; in fact, pain is more likely a symptom of a breast disease that is benign rather than malignant.

Kelly Henderson discovered a lump on her breast through self-examination, so did Joyce Schmidt of Dallas, Texas. A breast self-exam can make it happen.

First Signs of Breast Cancer Progression

Executive summary about Signs of Breast Cancer by Trevor Price

In the U.S., over 90 percent of breast cancer diagnoses happen during the early breast cancer stages.

Other disease characteristics, like hormone receptors and lymph nodes, can aid in prognosing results and help doctors and patients choose the right treatment.

The Early Stages of Breast Cancer

Earlier breast cancer stages are called TNM stages 1, 2 and 3a. The survival rate for patients diagnosed this early have a 5-year success rate of over 75%.

Lymph Node Indicators

Lymph nodes are an effective way to predict the effects of breast cancer.

Commonly, patients with earlier stage breast cancer are classified into either those presenting negative nodes, 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes, 4 to 9 positive nodes, or 10 and more nodes.

Tumor Size

If a patient exhibits negative lymph nodes and a tumor that is smaller than 1cm, the prognosis is often very good.

The Grade of Tumor

As the grade of the tumor increases, so does the potential relapse rate.

Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors

Estrogen and progesterone receptors within the tumor is also used to prognosticate breast cancer during the earlier stages. Generally, those patients with a receptor-positive form of breast cancer tend to have a better prognosis and survival rate than those who don’t.

Age of the Patient

Generally, patients who are older (50 and up) have a better prognosis than patients under the age of 35.

You may want to check out my other article on Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

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