Breast cancer symptoms

Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer may not be accompanied by the appearance of any symptoms or signs, and the appearance of some symptoms in some cases may be evidence of other diseases, so it is necessary to discuss with the doctor any changes that appear on the breast in its size and shape or noticing the presence of lumps in it or in an area Under the armpit, and it is worth noting the need to check the other breast in the same area, to make sure that the change is not part of the healthy breast tissue in that area, and it is worth noting that 90% of the visible lumps in the breast area are non-cancerous, but despite the fact that Therefore, be sure to see your doctor, and the following are some of the symptoms and signs that indicate breast cancer:

• The appearance of physical changes on the nipple, such as the appearance of the nipple sunken inward or the appearance of sores in the nipple area.

• Changes to the skin in the breast, which may appear shriveled, wrinkled, spotted, and scaly.

• Swelling of the breast area, which may appear red and warm.

• A change in the shape or size of the breast.

• The sudden appearance of secretions from the nipple, and these secretions may be bloody and from only one breast or both, and it is worth noting that breast secretions may be normal in some cases and may appear during the last weeks of pregnancy and after childbirth and in some women who are not pregnant or Non-lactating women of childbearing age.

• The appearance of hard, painless, uneven lumps on the breast, and in some cases these lumps may be round and tender.

• The appearance of bruises on the breast, or its appearance in purple or pink, a feeling of burning in the breast area, a feeling of heaviness in the breast, and swollen lymph nodes in the area under the armpit or collarbone, and it is worth noting that these symptoms accompany one of the types of breast cancer, and it is called breast cancer inflammatory;

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer

The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer vary according to the stages of its development and the part to which it has spread. The following is an explanation of this:

• Breast area or breast wall: This may cause secretions to come out of the nipple, lumps, and pain, and it may also cause an increase in the thickness of the breast or underarm area.

• Lungs: Symptoms associated with breast cancer spreading to the lungs appear in the form of difficulty breathing, coughing, extreme tiredness, and pain in the chest wall.

• Liver: Symptoms associated with the spread of breast cancer to the liver include feeling very tired, nausea, swelling of the feet and hands due to fluid accumulation in them, increased abdominal circumference, itching, and yellowing of the skin.

• Bones: the patient may feel pain, increased susceptibility to fractures, decreased concentration and attention due to high levels of calcium in the body, in addition to constipation.

• Brain or spinal cord: Breast cancer spreading to the brain or spinal cord causes headaches, memory loss, pain, speech, and movement difficulties, blurred or weak vision, as well as seizures.

Symptoms that need to see a doctor

You should see your doctor if you notice any changes in the breast, even if the result of the last periodic mammogram is normal, and you should see the doctor if you feel persistent pain in both breasts or one of them, or swelling appears in the breast or under the armpit, knowing that the cause behind the occurrence of these changes or the feeling of pain may not be cancer, but you should see a doctor and examine the breast.