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Breast Cancer Signs And Symptoms To Know Aside From A Lump - Business ...
The number of young women being diagnosed with breast cancer has increased in recent decades, underscoring the importance of checking for signs of the disease at any age.
A review of data recently published in the journal Nature showed breast cancer is among the types of cancer that are being diagnosed in more people younger than 50.
According to one study cited in the review, the number of women and men in the US aged between 25 and 30 diagnosed with breast cancer is expected to keep increasing, based on current data.
Each year in the US, about 264,000 women and 2,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease kills around 42,000 women and 500 men each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the American Cancer Society, black women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer under the age of 40 than white women, and are more likely to die of the disease at any age.
Breast cancer can cause nipple inversion and skin irritationRachel O'Connell, a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, UK, which specializes in cancer care, told Insider that the most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump that tends to feel like a solid mass that's distinct from the surrounding area.
However, O'Connell said it was "vital" to be aware of the other symptoms the disease can cause.
"For example, the nipple inverting or leaking clear or blood-stained discharge, the skin on the breast dimpling – like orange peel – or becoming red and irritated, as well as the breast changing shape, can all be signs of the disease," she said.
Breast cancer symptoms can depend on the type of cancer and how far it has spread, though people can also get different symptoms for the same cancer, with some experiencing no symptoms.
According to the CDC the seven "warning signs" of breast cancer to watch out for — other than a new lump in the breast or armpit — are:
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Most types of breast cancer do not cause pain in the breast or nipple, according to the American Cancer Society, but some do. Breast pain or discomfort is more often related to the menstrual cycle.
See a doctor if your breasts change in an unusual wayO'Connell said that more often than not, these symptoms won't be breast cancer, but it is important to see a doctor if you experience any changes that are unusual for you.
Most people's breasts will feel lumpy or uneven, and the way breasts look and feel can be affected by things like: periods, having kids, losing or gaining weight, and certain medications, according to the CDC.
The CDC states that it is "important to know what is normal for you."
The 5-year survival rates tend to be much higher when breast cancer is caught early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, according to data from the American Cancer Society.
A spokesperson from the charity Breast Cancer UK told Insider that people should check their breasts for changes at the same time each month.
16 Reasons You Have Nipple Discharge (That Aren't Breast Cancer)
There is nothing scarier than looking down at your boobs and noticing something coming out of your nipple.
when this happens, your mind starts racing and you leap to the scariest possible conclusion: breast cancer.
But usually, this is NOT the case. Your discharge could indicate breast cancer if only one duct appears to be active, or if the discharge itself seems to contain blood.
By and large, most nipple discharge is usually harmless, caused by trauma, or our shifting hormones. Occasionally benign tumors are to blame, but even that is very rare.
Still, it's hard to think calmly when your usually normal breasts start secreting discharge.
There are many, many reasons your nipples could have decided to act up. If you are concerned, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, and proceed directly to your doctor's office for a consultation.
But to help you start understanding what's going on, here are 16 different reasons your nipples could be discharging.
1. AbscessA breast or nipple abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection and results in a build-up of pus that works its way out of your nipple. It can be painful but is easily treated. Specialist Dr. Jack Newman says, "The first thing to say about a breast abscess is that it's not as bad as many think. It means the mother's body has partially but not completely successfully fought off the infection."
2. MiscarriageAfter a miscarriage, it is totally normal to find discharge coming from your breasts. What you're seeing is colostrum, or, breast milk. Usually, this will stop on its own within a matter of weeks. But, if it continues for more than two weeks you should see a doctor. Dr. Marsha Davis says, "It happens. But if the secretion continues for more than two weeks or if it becomes painful it could indicate an infection and the patient should seek medical attention."
3. Breast infectionBreast infections like mastitis are common in breastfeeding women. Often times discharge from these infections is caused when bacteria from the baby's mouth enters a crack in the skin. Women undergoing menopause also can experience similar infections as their hormone levels change. Dr. John Lumley says, "Women with mastitis often experience a rapid onset physical illness accompanied by strong negative feelings, which leads some women to consider stopping breastfeeding while others are determined to persevere. General practitioners need to provide emotional support for women with mastitis and acknowledge that breastfeeding may be difficult for new mothers."
4. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)DCIS was once considered the earliest form of breast cancer, and the easiest to treat. This is when the cancer cells begin inside the ducts of the breasts. Discharge can be a symptom. 60,000 women a year are diagnosed with DCIS and incorrectly think they have full-blown cancer. There has been a growing conversation in the medical community about actually renaming the condition because it is so treatable. "The time is now to discuss a change in the approach to DCIS. We should be demanding change,' says Dr. Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, professor of surgery and radiology at UCSF and Director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center, UCSF.
5. Excessive breast stimulationSometimes after extensive stimulation to the nipples, discharge can occur. It's an easy fix, too. Keeping your hands (and the hands of others) away from your breasts will ease the symptoms entirely. Very often, if you notice discharge and keep checking your breasts for it, this is in and of itself stimulating the breast tissue. Hold off on checking your breasts for a while and the condition itself may slow or stop entirely.
6. FibroadenomaFibroadenomas are benign, rubbery feeling, mobile tumors in the breast, commonly found in women in their twenties. Discharge can be a symptom of these tumors. Your doctor will want to biopsy the growth and keep an eye on it, but it is usually nothing to worry about in the long term. "A fibroadenoma is a benign mass of fibrous and glandular tissue. Fibroadenomas are most commonly found in women aged 15 to 35. They increase in size with estrogen stimulation and regress after menopause.
These masses can often be felt in the breast and can be seen on ultrasound, mammogram, and magnetic resonance imaging. One out of every five women with a diagnosed fibroadenoma has more than one." Says Dr. Otis Brawley. "There are two types of fibroadenomas. They are called simple and complex. Simple fibroadenomas are not correlated with an increased risk of breast cancer and often the only treatment given is surgical removal of the mass and the routine follow-up that all normal-risk women should undergo. It is not necessary to remove all of a proven simple fibroadenoma, although most women do want it removed."
7. Fibrocystic breastsFibrocystic breasts have lumpy or rope-like textured tissue. During PMS they can be more sensitive than even the average boob. Discharge with Fibrocystic breasts is not abnormal. "This used to be called fibrocystic breast disease," says health writer Emma Kaywin, "but since it isn't a disease we now just call it what it is — a change. These changes are generally totally benign, but there can be some health challenges associated with them, which is I assume why your doctor told you to keep an eye on how your breast tissue changes moving forward. Here's what you need to know."
8. GalactorrheaWhen your nipples are leaking milk or a milky substance outside of breastfeeding, it could be galactorrhea. This is not a disease itself, but often an underlying symptom of another ailment. You should consult a doctor right away. Dr. Kristin Pena says, "Galactorrhea, or inappropriate lactation, is a relatively common problem that occurs in approximately 20 to 25 percent of women. Lactation requires the presence of estrogen, progesterone, and, most importantly, prolactin. Stress, suckling, sleep, sexual intercourse, and medications may increase prolactin levels, whereas dopamine inhibits its release."
9. Hormone imbalanceSometimes hormonal imbalance can lead to nipple discharge. Diseases like PCOS or hypothyroidism could be to blame. Your doctor can run a series of tests to find out if this is the case. Dr. George Dickinson says "The breasts are active organs that change throughout the menstrual cycle and some degree of tenderness and nodularity in the premenstrual phase is so common that it may be considered as normal, affecting perhaps 50-60% of all menstruating women. It rapidly resolves as menstruation starts. It is also called mammary dysplasia and cystic mastopathy."
10. Injury or trauma to the breastTrauma to the breast like a bruise can lead to swelling and leaking from the nipple. This is a normal part of the healing process of the breast. Blunt trauma can interfere with blood supply to the area and, together with an accumulation of blood due to the bleeding, can disrupt blood supply and result in the "death" of cells in the area including fat cells. This can also result in a hard, painful lump in the breast. The accumulation of blood (hematoma) can also provide a medium for infection to set in.
11. Intraductal papillomaThis is another benign milk duct tumor. It usually appears as one small lump near the nipple with discharge and can be easily removed via outpatient surgery. Your doctor will want to run you through the full gamut of testing to make sure the growth is benign. This can include getting a mammogram and having the growth within the duct biopsied. Don't worry, this is all normal.
12. Mammary duct ectasiaMammary duct ectasia happens when a milk duct beneath the nipple thickens, leading to a clogged duct. It is a condition common in women in their 40s and 50s. This is easily treated with antibiotics. Dr. Richard Paullini says, "This is a benign breast disease that can mimic invasive carcinoma clinically. The process that causes the condition is still being debated but histologically it is characterised by dilation of major ducts in the subareolar region. The ducts contain eosinophilic granular secretions and foamy histiocytes. The secretions may undergo calcification and this may be the presenting sign."
13. Medication useCertain medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and even marijuana use can lead to nipple discharge. Talk to your doctor if you have this concern. If you are looking for fixes to this problem, you could try getting rid of caffeine, taking Vitamin E, and Evening primrose oil. Again, please consult with your doctor before doing so.
14. Menstrual cycle hormone changesFluctuating hormones can lead to discharge from your breasts. If you notice the discharge when you aren't having your period, that's when you should contact a doctor. Dr. Robert Maginini talks about what he looks for when a patient comes in with these symptoms: "If a recent mammogram (last 4-6 months) has not been performed, I will recommend one to help rule out the possibility of cancer as a cause of the discharge. Additionally, ultrasound of the breast is valuable to rule out cancer and will often show evidence of duct ectasia and papillomas."
15. Paget's disease of the breastPaget's disease of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer and is characterized by starting at the nipple, with skin hardening, coloring darkening, and discharge being present from either nipple. It is highly invasive, so contact your doctor post haste if you are concerned. The National Cancer Institute says, "Malignant cells known as Paget cells are a telltale sign of Paget disease of the breast. These cells are found in the epidermis (surface layer) of the skin of the nipple and the areola. Paget cells often have a large, round appearance under a microscope; they may be found as single cells or as small groups of cells within the epidermis."
16. ProlactinomaI have this! A prolactinoma is a benign tumor that forms on your pituitary gland and lowers the amount of estrogen in your body, flooding it instead with prolactin, a hormone commonly found in pregnant women. As such, lactation can occur. You can treat it with medication or surgery. Plus you get to tell people you have a brain tumor, which is always a good party stopper.
Rebecca Jane Stokes is a freelance writer, editor, former Senior Editor of Pop Culture at Newsweek, and former Senior Staff Writer for YourTango. She has a passion for lifestyle, geek news, and true crime topics. Her bylines have appeared on Fatherly, Bustle, SheKnows, Jezebel, and many others.
Related Stories From YourTango:Intraductal Papilloma: How To Recognize These Benign Breast Growths
Finding a lump in your breast is always a source of concern. However, not all breast lumps are cancer. There are multiple types of benign lumps such as cysts, fibrous tissue, and intraductal papillomas.
An intraductal papilloma is a small growth inside one of the milk ducts in your breast. The growths are benign (not cancerous) and usually painless, but they can cause unusual nipple discharge. You may have them in one or both breasts. You might have just one growth in a single milk duct, or there can be several papillomas in multiple ducts.
Both men and women can get intraductal papillomas, but they are more common in cisgender women between the ages of 35 and 55. Their exact cause is unknown, but the growths result from cells in the duct that grow faster than normal. The overgrowth of cells forms a small lump.
Experts believe that your risk of intraductal papilloma may be affected by:
An intraductal papilloma is not breast cancer. The papillomas are benign breast lumps formed from clusters of abnormally growing cells. Both the lumps and the cells are benign. Some experts describe these lumps as similar to warts.
In most cases, a single intraductal papilloma is not a risk factor for getting cancer later. The papilloma may be present at the same time as other breast changes, such as atypical cells in the ducts or other parts of the breasts. These changes can show an increased cancer risk.
People who have multiple papillomas have a small increase in their breast cancer risk. The papillomas themselves are not cancer, but they can be a sign that you may be more likely to get breast cancer later. You can talk to your doctor about managing your breast cancer risk.
Many intraductal papillomas have no symptoms at all. The most common symptom is unusual nipple discharge. The fluid leaking from your nipples might be clear or bloody. You may feel a small lump behind your nipple, or your doctor might feel it during an exam.
An intraductal papilloma may feel like a small lump behind your nipple during a breast exam. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images)
If you think you have an intraductal papilloma, your doctor will order tests to be sure.
Imaging. You may need a mammogram or ultrasound to find the papilloma and see how large it is. If those tests don't show the papilloma, you might need an MRI of your breasts.
Needle biopsy. Your doctor might also suggest a biopsy to rule out the possibility of cancer. If the papilloma causes a lump that your doctor can feel, they can do a needle biopsy. They will insert a needle into the tissue of the papilloma and draw out a sample for testing. They may use ultrasound to see where to place the needle.
Surgical biopsy. If no lump is present, you might need a surgical biopsy. Your doctor will need to make an incision in your breast to remove tissue for testing. With either type of biopsy, your doctor will tell you how to prepare for the procedure.
Your doctor will probably recommend surgery to remove the papilloma and the duct in which it is formed. If you only have one papilloma, your doctor might choose the watch-and-wait approach. As long as there are no changes, you might not need surgery. While the papilloma isn't cancerous, there is a risk that the cells in it could change and become malignant (cancerous) over time. If your doctor does see changes, removing the papilloma prevents it from turning into cancer later.
If you have multiple papillomas, surgery is much more likely.
The surgery to remove a duct and papilloma is similar to a lumpectomy for removing a tumor. You will probably need general anesthesia for the operation. Once you are asleep, your doctor will make a small cut in your breast and use surgical tools to remove the duct. They will then close the incision using surgical glue or stitches.
After surgery, you may have pain for several days. Your doctor will give you instructions to care for the wound. You might need to take antibiotics to prevent infection after the operation.
After surgery, the duct and papilloma will be examined in a lab to rule out cancer. There are rare cases in which those tests may reveal cancer even if your doctor did not suspect it. If that happens, your doctor will work with you to develop a breast cancer treatment plan.
If you have unexplained nipple discharge or have a lump in your breast, talk to your doctor. You should have tests to check for intraductal papilloma and rule out breast cancer.
Can intraductal papillomas go away?
Intraductal papillomas do not go away on their own. But if you only have a few and they don't affect your duct, your doctor may choose to monitor you — rather than opt for immediate surgery — unless something changes.
Some people are at higher risk for intraductal papilloma. Your risk is higher if you've been exposed to estrogen for a long period, you have a family history of intraductal papillomas, or you're perimenopausal. But there is no known way to prevent them from developing.
If you're breastfeeding, you may develop intraductal papilloma symptoms, which include bloody discharge from your nipple. Unlike the bleeding from cracked or raw nipples, which is common in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding, this bloody discharge will come from your nipple and is usually only on one side.
If you see blood or discharge coming from your nipple, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. It's best not to nurse from that side until you find out what is going on. To prevent engorgement, you can continue to gently pump from that breast and then toss the milk. This will also help ensure the milk supply for when you can resume nursing on that side.
An intraductal papilloma is a small, usually painless, noncancerous growth that can appear in a milk duct in your breast. You could get just one or several papillomas. Although your doctor may choose to watch for any changes, surgery for papillomas is common. That's because these cells could change and develop into cancer at some point, although this is rare.
Do intraductal papillomas need to be removed?
If you only have one, your doctor might recommend watching and waiting to see if there are any changes, rather than removing it. However, if you have several, surgery is usually recommended. If left untreated, intraductal papillomas could lead to complications or signal a more serious issue.
Is an intraductal papilloma high risk?
Intraductal papillomas are called "high-risk precursor lesions." This means that they could go on to become cancerous. This is why they should be watched or removed.
Can a breast papilloma go away?
Intraductal papillomas, which appear in the breast, don't go away on their own.
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