Be aware of the early symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the breast tissue.  Cancer can begin to grow in the milk glands, milk ducts, fatty tissue and connective tissue in the breast. The cause is unknown, but there are some risk factors that cause a woman to be more likely to suffer from breast cancer.

Some factors influencing risk are: 

• Age. About 60% of breast cancers occur in the age above 60 years. The greatest risk was found in women aged over 75 years. 
• Ever had breast cancer. Once the affected breast removed, the risk of breast cancer in a healthy increase of 0.5-1% / year. 
• Family history of breast cancer. Women are mothers, sisters or children suffering from cancer, had a three times greater risk for breast cancer. 
• Genetic and hormonal factors. 
• Had suffered from non-cancerous breast disease. 
• First menstruation before age 12, menopause after age 55 years, first pregnancy after age 30 years or had never been pregnant. 
• Use of birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy. 
• Obesity after menopause. 
• The use of alcohol. The use of alcohol more than 1-2 cups / day can increase the risk of breast cancer. 
• Chemicals. Several studies have cited exposure to chemicals that mimic estrogen (which is contained in pesticides and other industrial products) may increase the risk of breast cancer. 
• DES (diethylstilbestrol). Women who took DES to prevent miscarriage have a higher risk of breast cancer. 
• Irradiation.
• Symptoms and Signs. Initial symptoms include a lump that is usually perceived differently than the breast tissue around it, does not cause pain and usually have an irregular edge.

In the early stages, when driven by a finger, a lump can be moved easily under the skin. In later stages, the lump is usually attached to the wall of the chest or the surrounding skin. In advanced cancer, can form a swollen lump or breast skin ulcers. Sometimes the skin over the lump shrank and looked like an orange peel.

Other symptoms that may be found in a lump or mass in the armpit, a change in the size or shape of the breast, an abnormal discharge from the nipple (usually bloody or yellow to green, may also be pus), changes in the color or texture of the skin on the breast, nipples and areola (dark brown colored area around the nipple), breast looks red, the skin around the nipple scaly, nipples are interested in or feel itching, breast tenderness or swelling of one breast. In later stages may develop bone pain, weight loss, swelling of the arms or ulcerated skin.

Many risk factors can not be controlled. Some diet experts and oncologists believe that changes in diet and lifestyle in general can reduce the incidence of cancer. Endeavored to make early diagnosis of breast cancer is easier to treat and can be cured if it is still in early stages.

Realize, clinical breast examination and mammography as a screening procedure is 3 tools to detect cancer early. Treatment usually begins after a thorough assessment of the condition of the patient, which is about 1 week or more after the biopsy. Treatment consists of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone inhibitors.