When it comes to breast cancer, experts insist that early detection is the most effective way to reduce the impact of the disease and increase the chances of survival.
Early symptoms are often ignored and, in most cases, are discovered only when the disease progresses in the later stages. Awareness of the first signs and symptoms of breast cancer is preventive for detecting the disease at an early stage.
Unexplained weight loss
For many women, sudden weight loss can seem like a miracle, and most of them are constantly looking for ways to lose weight or at least maintain a normal waist size.
However, instead of joy, this symptom should be a cause for concern, because a sudden loss of 5 or more kilograms is one of the first signs of breast cancer.
Fatigue
The risk occurs when fatigue becomes chronic and does not go away after you have taken the necessary amount of time to rest.
Abnormal bleeding
Any type of unexpected bleeding or hemorrhage can be a warning sign of breast cancer or other diseases. In general, people with this condition may notice a little bleeding from the nipple.
Breast lumps as one of the signs of cancer
Most lumps or nodules are often benign, but you should pay attention to these signs:
- redness;
- ulcers;
- color changes;
- cellulite on the skin.
Dropping the nipples
When examining the breasts, it is very important to look carefully at the nipples to check that they are of normal shape and that their appearance has not changed.
A sagging nipple is an almost unequivocal sign of breast cancer.
Chest pain
In the first stages, a person rarely feels pain or heaviness in the chest.
However, when the disease has developed, there is often tenderness and pain in the breasts when they are not touched.
Of course, this pain should not be confused with the pain and tenderness that can occur during PMS or mastitis.
Changes in breast size
Noticing changes in breast size is also very important for the early detection of breast cancer.
If one breast appears inflamed or smaller in size, this may be a sign that immediate medical attention is needed.
Discharge from nipples
Sometimes nipple discharge is not a problem and goes away on its own within a few days.
However, in many cases of this disease, such discharge is one of the symptoms.
Asymmetry
Early detection of changes in breast shape or tissue is another way to detect cancer at an early stage. Asymmetry, as well as redness or small holes in the skin, are clear signs of this disease.
What are the risk factors?
Breast cancer mostly affects women, but it can also occur in men. The main risk factors are:
- Age 55 or older.
- Family history of breast cancer.
- The onset of the period before the age of 12.
- Late or early menopause.
- Adiposity.
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