What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a formidable disease that affects millions of lives around the world. It is a diagnosis that brings fear, uncertainty, and challenges. However, it is crucial to remember that there is hope, resilience, and strength within every individual affected by breast cancer.
In this blog, we will delve into how we can detect breast cancer and the unusual signs of breast cancer other than the conventional presence of a lump.
Statistics of Women suffering
IN 2020, 2.3 MILLION WOMEN WERE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer remains to be one of the most serious types of cancer in women. In 2020, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths were reported. This figure is threatening because breast cancer is diagnosed at a later stage and many women are unable to detect the signs at the early stage of the disease.
Breast cancer, just like many other forms of cancer, is treatable if it is detected at the initial stage of the disease.
Signs of Breast Cancer :
Listed below are some of the unusual signs of breast cancer. The purpose behind it is to understand the varied spectrum of symptoms, not overlook them and get them tested at the earliest.
- NIPPLE RETRACTION :- Retracted nipple or inward nipple can hint at a cancerous growth.
In this condition, the nipples do not point outwards, they point inward or are flat. It can either happen in one of the breasts or in both the breasts.
While there are several reasons behind it like bacterial infection, a birth defect or mammary duct ectasia, in case of breast cancer the nipple gets inverted all of a sudden.
This results into a change in the color and appearance of the nipples. - SKIN DIMPLING :- Skin dimpling is a condition where the skin of the nipple feels like an orange peel.
This is distinct from the normal texture of the nipple skin. Dimpled skin is the indication of an inflammatory breast cancer. - BURNING SENSATION :- If your breast feels warm and swollen, it can be due to the breast cancer.
This is a classic symptom of inflammatory breast cancer in which skin dimpling is a major sign.In this condition, the breast feels tender and a stinging sensation is also felt in the breast. - DISCHARGE FROM NIPPLES :- Discharge from nipples can be bloody fluid seeping through the nipples, and in some cases a milk-like fluid coming out of the nipples even when you are not breastfeeding.
Just like the other symptoms, nipple discharge can happen due to various reasons. In case, it persists for a longer period of time, make sure to get it diagnosed.
Things you should know:
Lumps remain as one of the key indicators of breast cancer. However, there are several reasons for lumps to form in the breast and many of these are not necessarily a form of cancer. "As many as 90% of breast masses are not cancerous. Non-cancerous breast abnormalities include benign masses like fibroadenomas and cysts as well as infections," the WHO says.
Breast cancer may spread to other parts of the body. The first site where it disseminates, is the lymph nodes under the arm. With time, it may spread to crucial organs like lungs, liver, brain and bones.
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER?
One can avert the risk by making changes in lifestyle habits that include prolonged breast- feeding, regular physical activity, weight control, cutting down on consumption of alcohol, avoiding exposure to tobacco, averting prolonged use of hormones and preventing excessive exposure to radiation.
We aim to empower, educate and inspire those who are affected by this ailment. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive resource that guides you through the challenges, celebrates the victories and encourages a positive outlook on life beyond this malady. Together, we can stand strong, support one another and create a future where breast cancer is better understood, prevented and ultimately defeated.
