Inflammatory breast cancer: 14 things to know
When It's Not Breast Cancer: All About Benign Breast Disease
There are times, more often than not, when what someone finds in their breast—whether a lump, discharge, pain, or skin changes—isn't cancer. But, until a diagnosis is made, it can be a very anxious time for the patient and their loved ones, according to Heather Davis, CNP, Baystate Breast & Wellness Center in Springfield.
Heather's role is to evaluate breast symptoms, but fortunately, most breast symptoms are not cancer.
"The first thing we will do is evaluate the situation," says Heather. "We are the first point of care."
First Step in Breast CareWhen someone calls the Baystate Breast & Wellness Center, they are assigned to one of the nurse practitioners, who takes their history, conducts an exam, and usually does imaging such as an ultrasound or mammogram.
"We follow up on any abnormalities," she says. "If it turns out to be cancer, we refer them to a surgeon. If not, we take care of the situation."
She says evaluation often includes a biopsy, which may be the only way to know exactly what a breast lump is.
"If we find a fibroadenoma (a non-cancerous solid breast tumor), for instance, we will see the patient every six months for two years just to make sure it doesn't change," she says. "If it's a large cyst, we'll aspirate to relieve the pain or discomfort caused by the cyst."
Plan for Care of Benign Breast DiseaseIf whatever is found turns out not to be cancer, Heather and the other providers explain the results of imaging and biopsy and make a plan for dealing with what it is.
"Someone comes in with a mass and though the likelihood of it being cancer is low, we all want to be sure," says Heather. "But it is the patient that carries the anxiety until the diagnosis is made. We do see the anxiety fall away if it isn't cancer."
Heather says most biopsies reveal a benign condition, but even so, she will follow a patient for two years after to make sure it doesn't turn into cancer. "If it isn't cancer and after two years there haven't been any issues, the patient returns to their primary care for regular care," she says.
The office gets a lot of referrals for pain, she explains. A lot of time breast pain is worse just before a woman gets her period and it subsides after. "That's totally normal," she says. "If there's breast pain in just one area and it lasts a couple weeks or more, the patient should come in for an evaluation," she says. "Anyone with a breast lump or discharge should be evaluated as well."
For evaluation of breast pain, the provider will do an exam and decide if there is an indication for getting an ultrasound or mammogram, and then the provider will come up with a plan to manage the pain. Heather says addressing a patient's anxiety is very important, because many times they are anxious worrying about cancer. Most breast pain is not caused by cancer. In addition to normal hormonal changes, other causes of breast pain include poorly fitted bras (i.E. Not enough breast support), caffeine, and pain and inflammation in the chest muscles under the breasts.
If an individual has a strong family history of breast cancer – parent, sibling – they should have breast exams with their PCP or OB/GYN once a year and should consider starting screening mammograms ten years earlier than the age when their family member was diagnosed with breast cancer, but not younger than age 30. For example, if a woman's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45, she would start to have mammograms at age 35 instead of waiting to age 40 which is when most women start screening with mammograms. "It's better to be safe," she explains.
Non-Cancerous PossibilitiesMany breast symptoms like lumps, pain, and discharge are not cancerous and can have a number of causes, including:
If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider:
Breast cancer may be the first thing a person thinks of when they feel a lump in their breast, but fortunately, most lumps are benign. Breasts are filled with glands, tissue, and fat. It is relatively common to develop a breast lump, cyst, or tumor in the breast, known as benign breast disease. They are not life-threatening but some may increase the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. While most conditions are non-cancerous, the best way to know for sure is to see your healthcare provider.
Men can also get benign breast disease and breast cancer, but it is much less common. Symptoms are the same as in women, so any men with breast symptoms noted above should see a health care provider.
Male Breast Cancer: Understanding Lumps And Symptoms
Although breast cancer is less common in males, male breast cancer symptoms are often similar to those in women, such as lumps, nipple changes, and skin alterations.
Male breast cancer begins when abnormal cells in the breast tissue start to grow uncontrollably. The growth of these cells can form tumors, which may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Although male breast cancer is rare — with an average lifetime risk of approximately 1 in 726 — it's important to be aware of its symptoms.
Let's explore the common symptoms of male breast cancer and discuss why early detection plays a vital role in improving treatment outcomes.
Male breast cancer lumps share many similarities with those found in women but can have some unique characteristics due to differences in breast tissue structure and hormonal environments.
Location
Male breast cancer lumps are typically located beneath or near the nipple or areola, where most of the limited breast tissue in men is concentrated.
In some cases, lumps may also be found in the surrounding breast tissue or the lymph nodes under the arm (axilla) nearest the affected breast.
Physical traits
Physical traits of male breast cancer lumps include:
It is best to consult a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
If you notice any unusual changes in your chest area, don't hesitate to consult your healthcare professional. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Remember, while breast cancer in men is uncommon, it's essential to be aware of your body and any changes that occur. Regular self-examinations and prompt medical attention, when needed, are your best defenses against this rare but serious condition.
Male breast cancer is a rare but important condition that can present with symptoms similar to those in women.
Common warning signs include the presence of a lump or swelling in the breast, pain or tenderness, changes in the nipple (such as inversion or discharge), and alterations in the skin over the breast (like discoloration or dimpling).
Prompt medical attention can lead to more effective treatment and better management of the condition.
Woman With Stage 4 Breast Cancer Issues Warning After 'ignoring' Four Key Symptoms
A woman has shared an important warning after being diagnosed with breast cancer (stock image) (Image: Getty)A woman has issued a warning after she ignored four symptoms that turned out to be stage 4 breast cancer.
Breast cancer made up a staggering 15% of cancer cases among women between 2017 and 2019, making it the UK's most common form of cancer. Men can catch it too, accounting for about 1% of all cases.
On average, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds in the UK, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms. With that in mind, TikToker Kristi – who regularly updates followers about her cancer journey – has shared four things she noticed but did not initially get checked out before she received her own diagnosis.
The mum-of-one said in the caption of her video: "If you have these symptoms, too, it does NOT mean that you also have breast cancer, but please talk to your physician and ADVOCATE for yourself!!!!"
Severe fatigueKristi admitted she ignored fatigue before receiving her diagnosis. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that "extreme fatigue that doesn't get better with rest" can be an early warning sign, not just of breast cancer, but of many cancer varieties.
"Cancer uses your body's nutrients to grow and advance, so those nutrients are no longer replenishing your body. This 'nutrient theft' can make you feel extremely tired," the medical organisation writes.
Weight loss while constantly craving sugarStamford Health reports that weight loss associated with cancer can be caused by a number of factors. "Depending on the type of cancer and the organs affected, individuals may experience nausea or a lack of appetite, or have difficulty chewing or swallowing, which causes their food intake to drop," the health body reports.
Some early research has suggested sugar cravings can be an early warning sign of cancer. The National Institute of Health (NIH) also reported: "There is evidence of an association between cancer and certain types of altered eating behaviours, including orthorexia, food cravings, and food addiction."
Bruising easilyBruising or bleeding easily is most commonly found in blood cancer patients. According to Leukaemia Care, frequent bruising or bleeding preceded nearly a quarter of leukaemia diagnoses.
When cancer has reached stage 4, as is the case for Kristi, it means the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Everyone's cancer journey and symptoms will be slightly different.
Dull aching back pain that kept getting worseKristi said she suffered back pain that became increasingly hard to ignore. Breast cancer that has spread to the bones can cause pain or discomfort in areas such as the hip or back.
According to the NHS website, the most common symptoms of breast cancer are:
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