Symptoms of breast cancer are by and large, pretty non-specific. The vagueness of these symptoms makes it very difficult to decide, if you do find a problem in your breast, whether or not you do actually have a serious problem.

The six most common symptoms of breast cancer, which are all explained below, are:
   1. A lump in the breast
   2. Bleeding from the nipple
   3. Dimpling or tethering of the skin of the breast
   4. Retraction of the nipple
   5. Alteration of the shape of the breast
   6. A rash on the nipple

The most common of these symptoms is a lump in the breast - and this is why this particular symptom is in the top position. But of course every lump in the breast is not malignant - far from it in reality - making a lump probably the most unhelpful and non-specific of all of the symptoms of breast cancer. Only about 10% of lumps in the breast actually turn out to be malignant.

There are only 3 commonly found lumps and so if you get a breast lump it is almost certainly going to be one of these: a Fibroadenoma, a cyst and of course a cancer in the breast.

The Triple Assessment is the routine your surgeon uses, in order to decide which one of these 3 lumps you actually have. 

 

The Triple Assessment has 3 parts as the name implies:
   1. An examination by the doctor
   2. Imaging - (mammography and breast ultrasound)
   3. A breast biopsy

The second of the symptoms of breast cancer is bleeding from the nipple. Bleeding from the nipple may be due to pre-invasive cancerous cells in the ducts or 'pipes' of the breast but actually this is one of the rarer symptoms and statistically only about 8% or less of women with bleeding from the nipple will actually have a breast cancer.

The next of the symptoms of breast cancer is dimpling or tethering of the skin. Of the 6 symptoms, this is actually one of the most accurate. If you are over 50 years of age and you notice that the skin is attached to a lump - you can pinch the skin over the lump and you will see that it does not move easily over it, or it dimples - then this is a worrying sign. Another way of showing that this IS one of the symptoms of a cancer in the breast, is to raise your arms above your head in front of a mirror and then slowly lower them. If you see that the skin gets caught, or tethered over or near the lump as you move your arms - remember to do this slowly - then this is one of the symptoms of a breast cancer.

The next symptom is retraction of the nipple. Simple nipple INVERSION is very common - this is where the nipple, instead of sticking outwards is folded inwards. You can tell that this is NOT one of the symptoms of breast cancer as benign (non-cancerous) nipple inversion is 'slit-like' in appearance. Nipple retraction, one of the more likely symptoms of breast cancer, is where the nipple and surrounding skin (the areola) is pulled backwards by the cancer. This is NOT slit-like in appearance.

The next of the symptoms is alteration of the shape of the breast. This again is fairly non-specific as many benign or non-cancerous lumps can also deform the shape of the breast. But if you see a COMBINATION of tethering, dimpling or nipple retraction with an alteration in the shape of the breast then you should be highly suspicious that you do indeed have a cancer in the breast.

The last of the six most common symptoms of a breast cancer is a rash on the nipple. This is a condition called Paget's Disease. Paget's Disease (named after Sir James Paget) is an ulcerating and destructive or erosive condition of the NIPPLE, although it may also extend onto the aureola - the darker skin around the nipple. Paget's Disease of the Nipple is due to the presence of an underlying cancer in the breast and the diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy of the ulcerated area. Paget's is one of the most clear-cut symptoms of breast cancer.

Paget's should not be confused with a scaly rash of the aureola where the nipple is normal - or 'spared'. A scaly rash on the areola ONLY, with a normal nipple is usually eczema (dermatitis), a condition mostly treated by simple steroid creams.

And if you ARE suspicious that you have breast cancer you should consult your doctor but you can firstly click on this link to get free access to a complete series of high quality videos about breast cancer, its treatment as well as further information on the symptoms of breast cancer at http://www.breastcancerworldnews.com

Dr. Richard Reyes is a breast cancer surgeon and writes for Breast Cancer World News

By Richard J Reyes

Breast cancer is a serious disorder that attacks women. It is a disease that women dread about. In medical terms, this disease can be defined as a formation of malignant or cancer cells in the breast tissues.

The disease has been termed as heterogeneous. This means that it is a different disease that appears and forms differently in different women of different age groups. Younger women are said to be more vulnerable to this disease.

This disease can be cured if detected early. This is the reason that young women are advised to carry out a self-examination for any kind of lungs inside their breast every three to six months. They should also go for a medical examination in every six months.

When failed to detect, this disease can result in to some real threatening stages. In certain severe and final stages of breast cancer, women are advised to go for a breast removal surgery or masectomy. This is really dreadful moment in a woman life.

Fortunately, this disease can be treated successfully if detected early. Hence, it is very important to learn about the symptoms of breast cancer and keep tabs on any of the warning signs that may hit our body anytime.

Here are some potential breast cancer symptoms to help you learn about this disease and detect it on time in a better and effective way.

- The warning sings
Usually, breast cancer does not carry any pain. However, a woman is still advised to visit her health care practitioner on a regular basis to know about the development of the disease in her body.

Common symptoms

a) Change in breast and nipple feel
You may suddenly experience tenderness of nipple or even a lump or thickening near the breast or underarm area without any specific reason.

b) Change in the appearance of breast or nipple
This means that there is a change in the shape or the size of the breast or a nipple. The nipple may appear scaly, read, swollen, turn slightly inward or contain ridges or pitting similar to the skin of an orange.

c) Nipple discharge
Sometimes, you may also experience nipple discharge. The discharge may be clear or bloody.

d) Pain
You may sometimes feel pain in the nipple.

e) Swelling
Women with breast cancer can even observe swelling or mass inside the arm pit.

f) Lump
A lump near the arm pit or breast is a clear indication of breast cancer.

g) Rash
You would find a rash on a nipple or the surrounding area.

All the above mentioned signs and symptoms are an indication that you may be suffering from breast cancer.

However, there are several other ways to detect breast cancer such as self examination. You can conduct a self examination at your home. Just inspect your breasts for any lumps or swelling, changes in contour of each breast, dimpling of skin or changes in the nipples.

Remember that early detection of this disease is the only way to cure it. You need to focus on the signs and symptoms of this disease in order to detect it. Watch out for the symptoms and be safe.