Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is cancer that develops in breast cells when they become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. There are five stages? in breast cancer and approximately 41,000 people die of breast cancer each year around the world. Men can get breast cancer too but it is rare – out of 100 breast cancers 1 man will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. Here we covered the major symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Types
A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules and spread to the other parts. The most common kinds of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma and Invasive lobular carcinoma. Other types include ductal carcinoma in situ, inflammatory breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and phyllodes tumors.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Food products that may increase the risk of getting breast cancer are alcohol, added sugar, fat, red meat, and processed foods. Our genes, age, and environment can play a vital part in causing breast cancer too. Also being obese, smoking, and acquiring Hormone replacement therapy increase the risk of getting breast cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Often the very first symptom of breast cancer will be a lump in the breast or underarm followed by, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. The symptoms may also include Irritation or dimpling of breast skin, inverted nipple, redness and discomfort. Also one can have no symptoms at all but still might acquire breast cancer.
You will only be able to notice these symptoms after two to five years as it takes 28 cell divisions to be felt or seen and each division takes one to two months.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of cancer. The treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy – this will make the tumor smaller to help with the surgery.
- Radiation therapy – Radiation uses its high-energy waves to kill cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy – this blocks hormones like estrogen and progesterone that can make cancer cells grow.
- Targeted therapy – it fights changes like excessive amounts of protein in cells that lead to cancer.
- Surgery – is to take out the tumor.
Most breast cancer treatments cause side effects that can go away right after the surgery or after a few months.