Breast Cancer Symptoms and Stages

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the breasts, which is mostly experienced by women of any age. Detecting its symptoms early will give people with breast cancer higher chances of successfully treating the disease. Here are the symptoms of breast cancer.

Like most other forms of cancer, breast cancer does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Once the tumor has grown to a significant size, you will start to notice the following symptoms:

• lump in your breast or armpit It is not unusual to feel the presence of a lump inside the breast during periods. However, in the case of cancer, you will notice that the lump does not go away even after your periods. This lump will most likely not cause any pain but may give you a prickly sensation. If you are at high risk of developing breast cancer, you may want to consider having regular diagnostic tests. A mammogram can detect this type of lump early, even before you can see or feel it.

• swelling in the armpits, collarbone, or breast If you have persistent swelling in your armpits or collarbone without any bruising or explanation, it is a very likely sign that your breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Your breast can swell before you feel a lump. Do not ignore this symptom and contact your doctor immediately. This could be a sign of an aggressive version of breast cancer called inflammatory cancer.

• pain or tenderness in your breast In most cases of breast cancer, the cancerous lump is painless. However, if you feel pain, it could be a sign of cancer development.

• a flat or indented area on your breast If you don't feel a lump, but instead, you see a flat or indented area on your breast, it could be a symptom of cancer.

• breasts change Another possible symptom of breast cancer can be seen as a sudden change in the affected breast. If your breasts start showing differences in terms of size, contour, texture, or temperature, you should consult a doctor. If the skin over your breast begins to appear red and tingly, it may indicate that the underlying cause is advanced-stage breast cancer.

• Nipple changes Some of the types of changes your nipples may have as you develop breast cancer are:

• Drawn inward

• Dimpled

• Burning

• Itching

• Auxesis

• Be discharged from the nipple

• Abnormal discharge of any color due to breast cancer may be.

• Marble area under the skin It is also a possible sign of a tumor in the breast.

Stages of breast cancer

Stage 0 breast cancer Remember that we have discussed the first type of cancer in situ earlier; Breast cancer in stage 0 is also known as DCIS. In this stage, the cancer is confined to the tubules where it originated. Stage 1 breast cancer It is further divided into two categories: Stage 1 A When the cancerous tumor is less than 2 centimeters in size and does not affect the lymph nodes, the cancer is classified as stage 1A. Stage 1B A stage 1B breast cancer is one that has reached your lymph nodes. There may be no tumor in the breast, or it is smaller than 2 centimeters. Stage 2 breast cancer It is further divided into two categories: Stage 2 A When the cancerous tumor is less than 2 centimeters in size but affects 1-3 lymph nodes, the cancer is classified as stage 2 A. Stage 2B A stage 2B breast cancer is one that has spread to 1-3 nearby lymph nodes, and the tumor has grown to 2-5 centimeters in size.

Stage 3 breast cancer It can also be divided into two more phases: Stage 3A When cancer cells have spread to 4-9 axillary lymph nodes or enlargement of the inner mammary gland, regardless of the size of the tumor, the cancer is said to be in stage 3A. Stage 3 B A tumor has reached the chest wall or skin and may or may not have invaded up to 9 lymph nodes. Tumors are significant greater than 5 cm, and cancer has spread to 1–3 axillary lymph nodes or to any of the breast nodes. Stage 3 C When the cancer has spread to 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, including the collar lymph nodes and lymph nodes near the collarbone, it is called stage 3 C breast cancer.

Stage 4 breast cancer is a metastasized cancer. In this stage, cancer cells have already spread to various parts of the body. Depending on the stage in which the cancer is diagnosed, the doctor will recommend treatment.

Medical centre in Abu Dhabi

Adam and Eve Specialized Medical Centre’s obstetric and gynaecology doctor will help you get through breast cancer. Consult our doctor if you have breast cancer symptoms.