Breast Cancer Symptoms You Want to Know About

Breast Cancer Symptoms You Want to Know About

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Unknown 2:38 PM 1

By Kimberly Shannon

Breast cancer symptoms vary, and may not be the same from person to person. You may experience

some, or even none or all of the common symptoms. This is why it's important to get checked out by a doctor promptly if you suspect you may be experiencing breast cancer symptoms, or have any questions about your breast cancer symptoms.

Breast cancer symptoms vary widely "" from lumps to swelling to skin changes "" and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine, and you should visit your doctor if you experience breast changes.

Real breast cancer symptoms are often confused with normal breast occurrences. For instance, during certain points in a woman's menstrual cycle, the breasts may become swollen and sore. This is a natural occurrence caused by fluctuating hormones and not necessarily a symptom of breast cancer. However, if you have never experienced this before, schedule an appointment with your doctor to be safe.

A lump on the breast is the best-known symptom of breast cancer. Many of these lumps really are early signs of cancer, and need to be checked as quickly as possible. The lump is more likely to be dangerous if it somewhat firm, but not painful. Cysts and other non-cancerous ailments lead to painful lumps. While these lumps may appear anywhere on the breast, they are most frequent beneath the nipple and near the armpit at the breast's outer fringes.

It's important to note that not all lumps are an indication of cancer. Many women have naturally fibrous (or "lumpy") breasts. If this is the case, you should discuss with your doctor the best method of testing for you. Recent scientific studies have shown that women are often not able to detect most lumps by doing a breast self exam, as many hide too far below the surface, or are very small.

The term, metastatic, describes a cancer that has spread to distant organs from the original tumor site. Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage (stage IV) of breast cancer information. Cancer cells have spread past the breast and axillary (underarm) lymph nodes to other areas of the body where they continue to grow and multiply. Breast cancer has the potential to spread to almost any region of the body. The most common region breast cancer spreads to is the bone, followed by the lung and liver. Treatment of metastatic breast cancer generally focuses on relieving symptoms.

Breast cancer symptoms [http://getbreastcancersupport.com/Breast-Cancer-Symptoms.html] can be confusing. It is normal to have fibrous areas or lumps. Visit [http://www.getbreastcancersupport.com] for a variety of articles written about breast cancer and the treatment options and care.

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Learn to Identify Early Breast Cancer Symptoms

Learn to Identify Early Breast Cancer Symptoms

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Unknown 3:11 PM 1

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Health-conscious women all over the world are naturally going to be surprised to know that one out of 10 women suffers from breast cancer in the US. Well, you think, you did not know that it was so common. Unfortunately, it is true. Fortunately, it can be cured, if caught in the early stages, like other cancers.

Some of the well-known people suffering from this horrible disease include Olivia Newton John, Shirley Temple Black, and Kylie Minogue. In the former 2 cases, the cancerous lump was detected and they underwent mastectomy as part of the treatment. But that was because they allowed the possible breast cancer symptom of a lump to be disregarded and did not go in to consult with their doctor for immediate treatment. Kylie Minogue is still undergoing treatment, because she recognized the symptoms and got it diagnosed.

Your best way of battling breast cancer is to prevent it. That is of course by looking at the risk factors, which might cause cancer. For example, you have a close family member like a sister or a mother suffering from breast cancer. You need to go to a doctor regularly to make sure that your chances of contracting the disease is minimized at the very beginning. That also means that you are going to be on the lookout for possible breast cancer symptoms.

Some women have also inherited 2 genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These women are more susceptible to breast cancer. They need to get the treatment done in the initial stages itself, so they have to be on the lookout for symptoms of this cancer.

So, naturally, you are on the lookout for all the possible breast cancer symptoms, which might forecast the prospective onset of this dread disease. These symptoms include an unexplained lump, which may be hard or tender, in the breast. You may possibly also find this lump underneath your armpit. You also need to look for other cancer symptoms like the skin getting red and itchy. You may find one breast swelling abnormally. That is because the cancerous cells in the body are absorbing all the blood supplied to the breast region.

Some of these cancer symptoms are definitely not painful in the initial stages. Nevertheless, there are some cells, which are growing in an unusual manner and are showing up in symptoms form. This sort of growth, whether benign or malign, needs to be checked up by your physician as soon as possible.

Cancer tests are normally done in the form of a mammogram, where an x-ray of the breast area is done to see the presence of the cancerous cells and possible metastasis (spread of the disease.) If the cancer is in its initial stages, it is going to be treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. So that means you cannot afford to disregard any symptoms which may foresee the onset of cancer. A proper diagnosis and immediate treatment is going to check the metastasis and prevent the cancer from spreading. So, if you see any of these symptoms given above, go in for a thorough checkup right now.

Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com [http://www.Symptoms-of-Cancer.com] today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms [http://www.symptoms-of-cancer.com/breast-cancer-detection-identify-early-symptoms-of-breast-cancer]

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How to Identify Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men

How to Identify Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Unknown 3:06 PM 1

Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men

There is a common misconception that men cannot have breast cancer. Men often ignore the symptoms of

cancer or mistake them for other illnesses. Factors such as social stigma and embarrassment contribute to the increasing denial among men of the possibility of getting cancer of the breast The development of male cancer ( of the breast) is largely similar to what women encounter. Males around the ages of sixty and seventy are more prone to the incidence of this type of cancer than any other age group.

Cancer Statistics

The latest American Cancer Society estimates for male breast cancer shows that in 2009 about 1,910 cases will be diagnosed with about 440 fatalities. Approximately one percent of the cancer cases, cancer of the breast cases, affect men. The lifetime risk for developing this type of cancer is at about one in a thousand. Recent studies also shows that the prognosis for this type of cancer for both men and women remains the same and the outlook is still hinged on what stage the cancer was diagnosed.

As in any other cancer, early detection and treatment is vital to an individual's survival. Thus, men are encouraged to be more aware of the cancer's signs and symptoms. Educating males in combating the social stigma brought about by cancer also assist in helping men against this type of cancer.

Detecting breast cancer in men

Knowledge and awareness on the signs and symptoms of cancer are very valuable in delivering the earliest possible detection and treatment for men with this cancer of the breast. Here are some of the symptoms associated with cancer of the breast.

Painless development of lump or thickening of the breast
Scaling and redness of the nipple and surrounding area
Indentation or retraction in the nipple area
Bloody or clear nipple discharge
Risk Factors
There are several factors that increase the risk of men getting cancer of the breast. Some of which like genetics and age are uncontrollable. However, some risk factors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption and smoking can be controlled, so it best to learn what we need to avoid. Below is a list of breast cancer risk factors in men.

The average age of male breast cancer diagnosis is sixty-seven and breast cancer commonly occurs in men between the ages of sixty and seventy.
One in five men with breast cancer had a female relative who had breast cancer too.
Those who have undergone prior radiation treatment on the chest area have a greater likelihood for breast cancer.
About five to ten percent of male breast cancers are inherited. Genetic defects on the CHEK-2, p53 tumor suppressor, BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes increases a person's cancer risk. These genes usually help prevent cancer by keeping cells from growing abnormally.

Those who had a history of Klinefelter syndrome, a congenital abnormality wherein males had an extra X chromosome resulting to lower levels of male hormones and increased female hormones.
Those who had taken estrogen-related drugs have a higher risk for breast cancer. Breast cancer cells are known to have estrogen receptors which improve the cancer's ability to progress.

Those who had liver diseases are also at risk as the body's estrogen activity increases while the androgen activity reduces when a person is experiencing liver diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver.
Those who are obese may also be at risk for male breast cancer due to increased number of fat cells. Fat cells produce estrogen from androgen, thus increasing the estrogen concentration in the body.
Excessive alcohol drinking also promotes breast cancer in men mainly due to the fact that alcohol consumption increases liver diseases and fat accumulation.

Treatment options for cancer of the breast in men
There are a number of treatment methods available for men with cancer of the breast. These methods do not differ from those done for women. Cancer staging is done to determine the best breast cancer treatment option a patient needs. Here are some of the treatment options available.

Surgery - There are several surgical options used to remove breast cancer in men these include simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Simple mastectomy involves removal of all breast tissue including lobules, ducts, fatty tissue and skin including the nipple and areola.

In a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast and a portion of the underarm lymph nodes. The surgeon may also remove chest wall muscle if the cancer has spread to that area. The lymph nodes will be examined to check if the cancer has spread and additional treatment is necessary.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure developed to locate sentinel nodes, lymph nodes receiving drainage from a breast tumor. Sentinel nodes are removed for biopsy to check for cancer development to the other lymph nodes. This procedure decreases the risk of complications as removal of a single node is necessary for examination.

Radiation Therapy - High energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells during a radiation therapy. Administered by a radiation oncologist, the therapy is commonly done before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often painless but may result in tiredness in men who had undergone therapy and tenderness of the breast.

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Biological Therapy
• Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body after breast cancer surgery. The treatment is usually scheduled every two to three weeks after surgery for about three to six months.

Chemotherapy may be administered intravenously or in pill form. Most patients choose oral chemotherapy as this reduces the need to visit the clinic and can be done at home.

Some chemotherapies target the cancer itself reducing damage to healthy cells. Still, side affects like hair loss, fatigue, vomiting and loss of cognitive abilities may occur.

Estrogen receptor positive breast cancers rely on estrogen to induce the development of breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy is administered in order to prevent estrogen from bonding to sites in the body where cancer cells may have spread. The male hormone, androgen also helps in the growth of cancer cells. Thus, limiting both estrogen and androgen levels are essential in abating the spread of cancer cells.

In biological therapy, a biological response modifier is used to stimulate the body's immune system to combat cancer. This helps in enhancing the body's natural defense against specific diseases such as cancer. However, biological therapy is still in clinic trials.

You do not want any type of cancer to reach these stages. This is why Thit is extremely essential that you go and see a doctor as soon as possible, the moment you see any of these possible cancer symptoms given above manifesting themselves. Listen to your body "talk", and follow the signs.

Don't Fall Victim to Breast Cancer, Identify the Early Warning Signs and Find out about Symptoms and Treatment Options Today. Visit Symptoms-of-Cancer.com [http://www.Symptoms-of-Cancer.com] today and find more information about how to identify Breast Cancer Symptoms [http://www.symptoms-of-cancer.com/breast-cancer-detection-identify-early-symptoms-of-breast-cancer] Breast  Cancer Symtoms

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