What are the symptoms of breast cancer

What are the symptoms of breast cancer? Nowadays, the incidence of breast cancer has been on the rise worldwide. The disease has become a major public health issue in today's society. Therefore, we must learn more about the symptoms of the disease and strive to achieve early detection and early treatment. So, what are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Early breast cancer often does not have typical symptoms and signs, and is not easily noticed. It is often discovered through physical examinations or breast cancer screening. The following are typical signs of breast cancer.

1. Breast lumps: 80% of breast cancer patients first seek medical attention because of breast lumps. Patients often accidentally discover breast lumps, which are mostly single, hard, with irregular edges and a less smooth surface. Most breast cancers are painless lumps, and only a few are accompanied by varying degrees of dull pain or tingling.

2. Nipple discharge: Blood, serous fluid, milk, pus flowing out of the nipple during the non-pregnancy period, or milk flowing out after stopping breastfeeding for more than half a year, is called nipple discharge. There are many causes of nipple discharge, and common diseases include intraductal papilloma, breast hyperplasia, mammary duct ectasia and breast cancer. Unilateral single-hole bloody discharge should be further examined, and if accompanied by a breast mass, it should be taken seriously.

3. Skin changes: Breast cancer can cause skin changes with various signs. The most common is that the tumor invades the Cooper ligament connecting the breast skin and the deep pectoral muscle fascia, shortening it and losing its elasticity, pulling the skin at the corresponding part, and causing the "dimple sign", that is, a small depression appears on the breast skin, like a dimple. If cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels, "orange peel-like changes" will occur, that is, many small dot-like depressions appear on the breast skin, just like orange peel.

4. Abnormalities of the nipple and areola: Tumors located deep in or close to the nipple may cause nipple retraction. When the tumor is far from the nipple and the large ducts in the mammary gland are invaded and shortened, it may also cause nipple retraction or elevation. Nipple eczematoid carcinoma, also known as breast Paget's disease, manifests as itching, erosion, ulceration, crusting, desquamation, and burning pain on the nipple skin, resulting in nipple retraction.

5. Swollen axillary lymph nodes: More than 1/3 of breast cancer patients admitted to large hospitals have axillary lymph node metastasis. In the early stage, the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes may be swollen. The swollen lymph nodes are hard, scattered, and movable. As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes gradually fuse and adhere to and fix with the skin and surrounding tissues. In the late stage, the metastatic lymph nodes can be felt above the clavicle and in the opposite axilla.

The cause of breast cancer is not yet fully understood, so there is no definite way to prevent breast cancer. From the analysis of epidemiological surveys, we can establish a good lifestyle, adjust the rhythm of life, and keep a good mood. We should insist on physical exercise, actively participate in social activities, avoid and reduce mental and psychological stress factors, and keep a calm mind.