Signs to Look Out for in Breast Cancer

There are some signs you should watch out for to detect early if there is a possibility of you developing breast cancer and how you can quickly prevent it before it grows.

Breast cancer is cancer cells that grow in the breast cells. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common top cancer in women both in the developed and developing country. After lung cancer, it is the second leading cancer that can cause death for a woman. But when breast cancer is detected early before it grows, it can easily be treated. The earlier you notice it, the greater the chance of you beating it. So, this means it is essential for you to watch out for any sign of change in your breast to know if it is a symptom of breast cancer.

 As a woman, you need to establish the habit of self-checking yourself at least once a month. Exam yourself under the shower, check yourself in front of a mirror, feel yourself while lying down just to enable you to assure you are in good condition and to detect any abnormal sign earlier before it became emergency.

Get to know your own breast. Know how it looks and how it feels to make it easier for you to spot any unusual change in it. Although most breast cancers don’t show symptoms at the early stage, which also make regular breast screening very important because any abnormality can be discovered on a mammogram.

Breast cancer signs vary from person to person, but breast cancer’s most common symptom is a new lump or mass. A lump, nevertheless, is not the only symptom of breast cancer. There are many symptoms breast cancer can trigger. However, these symptoms are not only a symptom of breast cancer, but they can also be caused by many other medical conditions. Indications for the most common breast cancers are:

Breast Lump

As stated earlier, a new lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer. It usually feels like a hard knot in the breast or under the arm. It is important to always watch out for this lump and get yourself check by the doctor if you ever discover any lump. By going through the necessary checkup, the doctor will know if the lump is as a result of cancer or something else.

Nipple Discharge

A thin or thick discharge from the breast when the person is not breastfeeding, or pregnant may be a cancer symptom. If you experience this, you need to go for breast screening to be sure of the cause because many things can cause nipple discharge. This includes breast infection, a side effect of taking a certain medication, and many other medical conditions like thyroid disease, and they all require medical attention.

Breast Pain

Breast cancer may cause some change in the breast tissue, which may lead to some pain in the breast. Though pain or discomfort in the breast may not be as a result of breast cancer, it is important to go for a breast checkup whenever you experience pain to know if it is cancerous.

Change in Skin Texture

A skin thickness, scaly skin, or inflammation that suddenly develops around the breast skin may result from breast cancer. While this can also result from dermatitis or eczema but to know what it is precisely and be sure of your health condition, you need to go for a checkup.

Redness

Redness can be as a result of inflammation of the breast cancer. When the breast feels sore due to the breast’s affected tissue, it may look red or purple.

Swelling

Any sudden swelling in the breast or armpit is something to watch out for and quickly complain to your doctor because it’s a potential breast cancer symptom. When you have a hard knot under the armpit and does not move when you touch it, it may be as a result of breast cancer because the first place breast cancer can spread to is the lumps node in the armpit.

Change in Size and the Shape of the Breast

Tissue growth of one part or whole of the breast may change the breast’s size or shape by making It look bigger or different from the way it used to be, which can be as a result of breast cancer. The best way to quickly notice this is by frequently examine your breast. Study the shape and the size of your breast in a mirror so you will be aware when there is any change that needs medical attention.

Nipple Change

One of the most commonplace breast cancer originated or started from in the breast is right beneath the nipple, which can easily affect both the looks and sensitivity of the nipple. If the nipple starts to turn inward, become flat, and make you feel nothing when touched, it may be due to breast cancer, which needs proper medical attention.

How You Can Reduce the Risk of Having Breast Cancer

Preventing breast cancer may not be guaranteed, but we can reduce the risk by changing and choosing to live a certain lifestyle. There are specific steps that you can comfortably take to lower or reduce the risk of breast cancer. Such as:

Detect it Early

As we stated earlier, early detection is one of the most significant advantages you can use to fight your breast cancer even before it started. Checking yourself frequently, knowing your body fully well, and watching out for any unusual symptoms and signs, doing a frequent breast screening for doctors to know your breast’s status can give you a great advantage over breast cancer. The earlier you are able to detect it, the better the chance you have in treating it.

Avoid or Reduce Smoking.

It is no secret that unhealthy smoking is terrible, and we also know how it has great side effects on our health. Apart from the fact that it affects the heart, it has been linked to the cause of a different type of cancer, including breast cancer. For you to reduce the risk of having cancer, you need to reduce or quit smoking for your own wellbeing.

Eat a Good Diet

Eating a healthy diet like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains can help prevent many health conditions, including reducing breast cancer risk. Although there are no definite conclusions on the link between breast cancer and a good diet but research as shown that fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Look for 5 servings of vegetables and 2 fruit daily and avoid processed food.

Be Physically Active

Physical activities have a great impact to make in our bodies. The more active you are, the more health benefit you will get. Being active, doing like 30 minutes to 1-hour moderate exercise in 5 days in a week can do a lot good to your body, regulate your hormone levels, and maintain your weight, this aids in the reduction in breast cancer risks. So it is important to get regular physical activity.

Watch Your Weight

Research as shown that obese or overweight women, especially after menopause, have a higher risk of breast cancer. Study shows that 8% of women who develop breast cancer after menopause are a result of being overweight or obese. Watching your weight by eating no fatty food, and doing regular exercise can reduce breast cancer risk.

Breastfeed

Breastfeeding can help a lot in reducing the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that women who breastfeed, especially more than 18 months, have a lower chance of developing breast cancer. The longer you breastfeed, the lesser your possibility of developing breast cancer. Breastfeed, if possible, it makes the cells likely to be cancerous.

Stop Drinking Alcohol

A woman who drinks too much alcohol has a higher breast cancer risk. The more alcohol you drink, the more you are exposing yourself to breast cancer. Stop drinking alcohol or limit it 2 to 3 drinks per week if you can’t do without it because even a small amount of alcohol intake can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Watching out for any symptoms or signs of breast cancer is not something that is very hard to do, so as an adult woman, there should be no reason for you not doing it. Early detection has saved a lot of life. If you notice any unusual change in your breast, report to your doctor immediately to start the proper treatment, and don’t forget to avoid anything that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.