Breast Cancer Symptoms

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Breast cancer kills millions of women every year and it affects women earlier than strokes or heart attacks. It is the number one cancer that destroys the lives of women and there is still no main cause for why it occurs. There are various treatments for breast cancer and there is a great awareness and amount of hope amongst women that survival is possible.

Breast cancer is when a lump in the breast forms and contains cancerous cells. Cancerous cells try to destroy the immune system and eventually try to destroy the rest of the body.

Breast cancer symptoms include bleeding through the nipple when a tumor forms in the breast, a lump mass in the breast, swelling in the armpit area, swelling in the breast, and redness of the breast and areola. Symptoms of male breast cancer can include some the exact same as women’s breast cancer symptoms as well as skin dimpling, nipple retraction, and swelling.

Metastasis is an even more serious condition than the lump or tumor in the breast. The breast cancer tumor can split, therefore spreading other cancerous cells through other parts of the body. These cancerous cells can then create other cancers to develop in different areas around the body and they may not be detected for years afterwards. The best way to detect breast cancer earlier is to do self examinations. Self examinations can be performed by feeling for lumps in the breasts and in the armpit areas. It is best for women to check regularly and also have mammograms. If a lump or abnormality is noticed then the individual should speak with their doctor immediately without hesitation. This can be the meaning of life and death and cannot be ignored.

When symptoms of breast cancer are detected and the doctor finds a lump or tumor, there are a variety of breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, mastectomy, and surgical procedures to consider. Radiation therapy is the most common therapy used and there are little side effects. Chemotherapy involves the use of medications and there is a great chance there will be hair loss. A surgical procedure may involve the removal of the tumor and tissue with cancerous cells only, while a mastectomy is the removal of one or both breasts. Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms can differ from the more common symptoms, and they can include sensitivity of the breasts, a change in size of the breasts, patches of redness on the breasts, itchy breasts, nipple discharge, change of texture in the breasts, and swollen lymph nodes.

Women do survive through the experience of breast cancer and the earlier it is discovered the better chance a woman has for a long life. A few ways a woman can reduce the chances of breast cancer can be to eat a healthy diet of rich vegetables and fruits. Exercise is very important to reduce breast cancer, as well as the decrease of alcohol intake and  ceasing smoking. If you have cancer concerns then make sure you see your doctor for a full examination. You can save your life by recognizing lumps, so make sure you do self examinations.

Article Last Modified Sunday, March 14, 2010
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