Breast Cancer Early Symptoms and How to know if you have it

Happy Pinktober my ladies,
Today I am going to dedicate a post for the awareness of Breast Cancer. Dedication to all those who have lost lives and those who won’t quit!
Breast Cancer is one of the commonest cancers in the world. Although there is increasing awareness in the world about breast cancer, the women in India in some parts are still shy to talk about it. I request everyone reading this. DO NOT BE SHY. In fact, inspire others to open up about this and talk about it in your family. I really hope this piece of article is helpful. I hope you guys will educate the young and elders about it.

Why should I get Screening done?

It is extremely important to diagnose breast cancer at the earliest possible stage. Reason is, the prognosis of breast cancer is closely related to the stage at which the diagnosis is made. Breast cancer is also a common familial cancer. Means, it is one the cancers which can be inherited. If someone in your family had it specially your mother or other first degree relatives, you must see your doctor. There are these genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 which are breast cancer predisposition genes, located on the long arm of chromosome no. 17 and 13 respectively. These can be inherited and make the individual slightly more likely to have this condition.

So if anyone in your family has had Ca breast you do not need to be scared. You need see your doctor and arrange a counselling session. Having a positive family history does not necessarily mean that you will get it. But it is always wise to keep your guards up right?

If you do not have a positive family history, I am going to have certain symptoms explained below which would help you. Before I proceed, I want to tell you guys that it is not only females who get Ca breast. Males can get Breast Cancer too.

Breast Self Examination

A picture is a better means of explaining how to do a breast self examination.

Look For these Symptoms

In Breast

1. Any abnormal Lump in the breast, specially which persists after the menstural cycle. It is painless more commonly.
2. Any change in the skin overlying the breast
3. Any change in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of the breast.
4. Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or other colour. It is usually caused by benign (Non malignant) conditions but they can be due to cancer in some cases.
5. A change in the nipple, such as a nipple retraction, dimpling, itching, a burning sensation. Any ulcer on and around the nipple. A scaly rash of the nipple is symptomatic of Paget’s disease, which may be associated with an underlying breast cancer.
6. Any flattening or indentation on the breast, can indicate a tumor that cannot be seen or felt.
7. Pain or tenderness in the breast. Although lumps are usually painless, pain or tenderness can be a sign of breast cancer.
8. A marble-like area under the skin.
9. An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

Around the Breast

The lymph nodes from your breast drain in the nodes located in the armpits. So you need to look for

1. Any swelling in the armpits
2. Any tenderness in the armpits
3. Any hard feeling in the armpits

The above mentioned symptoms are those which you can look for yourself. If you do suspect any of these, see your doctor immediately. It may be nothing, but it is always a good idea to see the doctor.

One very important message that I want to convey too all the girls here is,

If there are women in your family who are above 50 years of age like your mother, grandmother or other relatives, being a modern educated girl it is your responsibility to make them aware of these things.
You need to make sure that they attend Breast Cancer Screening programmes at least once every two year.
Make them understand that it is no shame. Breast is a part of a female body. We are responsible for taking care of our own bodies.

Image source and credits 1,2,3