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Breast cancer has a nasty habit of remaining hidden. We do not get much of an alarm bell or a warning flag in advance of it emerging. There are no outward symptoms related to early breast cancer. There are no warnings, and no pain. The only way to detect breast cancer in the preliminary stage is by finding an abnormality or a lump. Mostly this happens through breast self-examinations, or as a result of a yearly mammogram. Most lumps in breasts are not cancerous. But if you do find one, it is very important to have your doctor examine it as soon as possible. For some women, breast cancer initially presents as a bump under the arm or above the collarbone that doesn't go away. As the disease progresses, other symptoms will appear such as nipple inversion or discharge, or changes to the skin and surface of the breast. Rarely will a discharge be a symptom of cancer, and in fact is quite common. However, if you notice blood in the discharge, or if it only occurs in one breast, then see a doctor immediately. Inversion of nipples is also quite common, but if it occurs suddenly, check with your doctor. Swelling or redness in the breast may be an indication of an infection present in the breast tissue. Any infections, regardless of the type or cause, should be treated promptly. See your doctor right away if you notice redness, swelling or severe pain in your breast, in your armpit, or under your shoulder. Where breast cancer is present, changes may occur to the skin such as redness, puckering and changes to texture. There are some skin diseases that may cause a similar effect, however it's important to have a professional consultation to rule out any possibility of cancer. Breast cancer can slowly develop over months or years. However, once it is clearly diagnosed, it is crucial to start treatment as soon as practicable. Breast cancer can metastasize and thus spread throughout the body, and the goal is to begin treatment before this has a chance to happen. Mammogram tests can often detect the earliest signs of breast cancer. Once per year women over 40 should have this test done, which involves an electronic scan of the breast tissue. If anything abnormal is found, don't panic; rather, set up an appointment immediately with your doctor to do further evaluation, and perhaps to set your mind at ease. Ultrasolography and physical examinations are the other two methods for detecting abnormalities. Physical exams should include visual inspection as well as gentle physical pressure or palpitation. Each exam will also check the collarbone area and the armpits. You can ask your health care provider how to do this yourself, and there are books and videos widely available to help. Or your provider can do it for you, by palpating for a lump or thickening of the skin in the breast area. Finally, the most definitive method for diagnosis is to examine a small number of breast cells directly. A biopsy can remove a tiny piece of the lump and a specialist will examine it in a laboratory. It's imperative that women are aware of the symptoms of breast cancer: * A lump under the arm, above the collarbone, or in the breast that remains for more than a week * Nipple discharge * Changes to the nipples, such as inversion * Skin surface changes on the breast During your regular self-examinations, if you find any of these symptoms, don't take a chance, but see your doctor as soon as you can to determine if what you have found requires treatment.
Article Source: http://www.philvault.com
Mabel Dugmore is a columnist for a variety of well-known web magazines, on health and wellness and hot products subjects. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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