What should you look for in the breasts to know whether you have breast cancer?
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There is no special technique by which you should be checking your breasts. Everyone has unique breasts and thus you know how it looks and feels. If you find anything unusual, make sure you consult with an expert. The first symptom of breast cancer is the formation of lumps, and thus you should be looking for them in the first place. At times, there is a pain in the breasts and in case you are dealing with such discomfort, consult with an oncologist at the earliest.
What are the different types of changes that may occur in the breasts when it is affected by cancer?
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While checking for the signs of breast cancer, you should touch your breasts to see if one breast is smaller than the other, if there is a change in the skin texture such as dimpling in the skin or puckering in the nipple or if the nipple has turned inwards. Some women find that there is an unusual discharge from the nipples or there is crusting in the nipples. You should check your breasts regularly even when you are going through the screening process.
Breast cancer shows various symptoms right from its early stage.
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If you have a sharp pain in the breast or a dull aching pain coupled with tenderness, it is natural to think that you have breast cancer. But the first sign of breast cancer is feeling a lump in the breast. This fatal disease doesn't show any signs or symptoms in its early stages, so you have to be very careful and keep on checking your breasts regularly. Timely detection of the breast cancer and availing the right treatment is the key to survival.
Swelling in the breast is also an important symptom of breast cancer.
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Even if you don't feel any lump in the breast, you should check whether there is swelling in the breast. At times, breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes as well located around the collarbone or under the arm and cause a swelling there. Even though swelling can be caused by any other disease, it is essential to get it checked by a gynecological expert. Equipped with the right knowledge, timely intervention is possible, so be aware of the signs and symptoms.
Breast cancer in men shows itself through various symptoms.
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Many people are not aware of the fact that breast cancer can occur in men at rare instances. Men too, have breast tissue and those cells are susceptible to cancerous change. The symptoms of breast cancer in men have signs like thickening of the breast tissue, nipple discharge along with unexplained redness, skin irritation, and rash on the breast. It is important for men to check their breasts regularly so that breast cancer can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.