Breast awareness can't prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better understand the normal changes that your breasts undergo and identify any unusual signs and symptoms.
Breast cancer symptoms you shouldn't ignore
Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Some women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause and, for these women, the increased risk of breast cancer may be acceptable in order to relieve menopause signs and symptoms. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time. If your doctor has assessed your family history and determined that you have other factors, such as a precancerous breast condition, that increase your risk of breast cancer, you may discuss options to reduce your risk, such as:.
Signs and symptoms of cancer | Cancer Research UK
Preventive medications chemoprevention. Estrogen-blocking medications, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with a high risk of the disease. These medications carry a risk of side effects, so doctors reserve these medications for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer.
Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Request an appointment. Overview Breast anatomy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Breast anatomy Each breast contains 15 to 20 lobes of glandular tissue, arranged like the petals of a daisy. Nipple changes Open pop-up dialog box Close. Nipple changes Breast and nipple changes can be a sign of breast cancer.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Breast self-exam Open pop-up dialog box Close. Breast self-exam To perform a breast self-exam for breast awareness, use a methodical approach that ensures you cover your entire breast. More Information Breast cancer care at Mayo Clinic Breast cancer chemoprevention Genetic testing for breast cancer: Psychological and social impact. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Breast cancer. Rochester, Minn.
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Fort Washington, Pa. Accessed June 28, Townsend CM Jr, et al. Diseases of the breast. Philadelphia, Pa. Leading new cancer cases and deaths — estimates. American Cancer Society. Accessed June 29, Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 21, Breast reconstruction. What you need to know about breast cancer. National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer risk assessment and screening in average-risk women. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Palliative care. McDermott AM, et al. Surgeon and breast unit volume-outcome relationships in breast cancer surgery and treatment.
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Accessed July 3, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. American College of Surgeons. Toledo E, et al. Your breast may appear red and inflamed and warmer than normal to the touch or may even look dimpled or pitted, like the skin of an orange. The National Cancer Institute says this type of breast cancer is more common in women who are overweight or obese and is more likely to occur in young women.
While having moles isn't exactly a symptom of breast cancer, women who have more moles may be more likely to develop breast cancer, according to two recent studies. Women in the study were classified as having: no moles; a few moles; many moles; or very many moles. Over the course of the study, researchers concluded that those with "very many moles" had a 13 percent greater chance of developing breast cancer.
While the result is still inconclusive when controlling for other factors, this is yet another reason to not only perform regular breast self exams, but also regularly see a dermatologist. If you're finding yourself suddenly constipated, be sure to take note of any other symptoms. A study back in the '80s found an association between women who are constipated and an increased risk of breast cancer. Then, a study in found that women who had three or more bowel movements per day classified as frequent bowel movements in the study had a 46 percent decreased risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who had only one bowel movement per day.
While there hasn't been much conclusive research since then to determine if constipation was a symptom of breast cancer or if something else in the body is related to both frequent constipation and breast cancer, if you're noticing changes in how often you go to the bathroom, talk to your doctor. Some symptoms of breast cancer may indicate that the disease has progressed.
These may be symptoms of any form of cancer, but because breast cancer is so common among women, and may go undiagnosed for quite some time, they're important to mention. One sign that something may be going on is if you have a persistent cough or hoarseness that doesn't go away. This could mean that breast cancer has spread to your lungs, which Breastcancer. According to the American Cancer Society , a sudden and unexplained loss of ten or more pounds is often an early sign of many forms of cancer.
If, however, you notice that you're gaining weight or that your breasts seem swollen , large, or heavy, this can also be a sign of cancer.
Signs that breast cancer has spread to the bones
While your unexplained weight gain or loss may not be cancer-related, if you can't pinpoint why you're gaining or losing weight, even after tracking your eating habits and physical activity, talk to your doctor. Nothing is scarier than a potential cancer diagnosis.
The possible symptoms outlined here are especially terrifying given that they can all be symptoms of something else entirely and that something could be totally benign. While you should absolutely talk to your doctor if you're having concerning symptoms, remember that as we get older our bodies naturally change and start doing different things. Perform your monthly breast self exams and keep track of them in a journal. Note any odd things you find, or other symptoms you're having, and talk to your doctor if you notice something truly out of the ordinary.
The only real way to know whether what you're experiencing is breast cancer is to see your doctor.
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Many women diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have signs or symptoms
While you are your own best advocate for getting the care you need, and for noticing changes in your body, you can't diagnose breast cancer alone. Seek out professional expertise to determine what's going on with your body and what your next steps may be.
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While not a symptom of breast cancer, feelings of fear and loneliness may occur after being diagnosed. And there are countless resources online for finding a support group of other people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Unexplained loss is often the first sign of disease
Find one of those support groups and connect with people who understand what you're going through. There are even some therapists who specialize in treating those who have been diagnosed with cancer and other diseases. Remember, while breast cancer like any cancer is scary, there are viable treatments available All Rights Reserved. A lump in your breast Shutterstock. Pain or tenderness Shutterstock.