Diseases Diseases

What Symptoms Can Be Overlooked

Published at 02/20/2012 07:57:29

Introduction

Breast Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world today. Though the disease is lethal, early diagnosis can lead to a full recovery. However, there are some early stage symptoms that can be easily overlooked which can lead to this lethal disease reaching the stage where it becomes too late to save the patient. Regular mammography’s and self-examinations can help preventing this illness from manifesting into something more lethal, however, it is imperative that women know what signs they are looking for so that the symptoms are not overlooked.

Besides being one of the most common cancer forms breast cancer is also one of the oldest forms. Lack of information and knowledge during these times of course caused the symptoms to be overlooked. Its earliest descriptions date back to Egypt in 1600 BC. Primitive cures included removing both breasts by cauterization. Not until the 17th Century were surgeons able to make the connection between the breast tissue and the lymph nodes in the underarms. The first surgeons to remove breast tissue, lymph nodes and breast muscle were French and Scottish their work was continued by William Halsted. However, the process still included removing both breasts, the lymph nodes and muscle and left the patient in pain and also disabled. Not until the 1970’s were more sparing procedures introduced when the knowledge of the disease being systematic and localized illness come.

There are more effective cures, but there are also more effective modes of detection present. Aside from mammography tests, women should also be aware of what to look for when they self-examine their breasts. Though some of the early symptoms can be overlooked, care and knowing what one is looking for is always helpful. Rashes on the skin or a burning sensation when the breast is touched is a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, such cancer causes swelling, irritation, pain and may even leave a reddish-purple bruise. It is initially accompanied by a pre-menstrual itch like allergy. Some other forms of breast cancer include symptoms of upper back pain. The pain is located between the shoulder blades and feels the same as muscle, tendon or arthritic pain thus is difficult to distinguish. Common places for the breast cancer to occur are under the nipple, thus, if your nipple changes color, shape or emits any fluid e.g. water or blood it may be a warning sign. Lastly, changes in the breast shape, cancer frequently causes the breast to become more oval or droop more, and therefore these changes should also be carefully monitored.

Conclusion

If the early symptoms of breast cancer are not overlooked, then chances of early recovery and cure are high. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a key factor, apart from having regular mammography’s and breast self exams women should maintain a healthy body weight, ideally a BMI of below 25. Low alcohol consumption also reduces breast cancer risks. Increasing intakes of fruits and vegetable specially eating dark leafy greens is another healthy risk-reducing option.

Comments

Most Recent Articles

  • About New Breast Cancer Research
    Many strides have been taken over the years for cancer breast research and how to treat it. There have been many new studies that have been done, even though with most, it is still too early...
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Prognosis And Treatment
    Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread to another part of the body from where the original cancer was, but still has the same cells as the original cancer. Usually when the cancer has s...
  • Breast Cancer Treatment Options
    Breast cancer treatment options vary based on several factors. Depending on the stage of cancer, the woman's health and medical history, an oncologist will make the determination of which th...
  • Symtoms And Treatment Of Breast Cancer
    Statistics show that about 1 out of every 36 women who get breast cancer will die from this disease. Breast cancer death rates have reduced dramatically over the last few decades due to bett...
  • The Advantages Of Having Chemotherapy To Treat Breast Cancer
    What exactly is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to treat a disease especially breast cancer. Using chemotherapy to treat breast cancer has its advantages and di...
  • What Is the Best Skin Vitamin For Glowing Skin?
    Vitamin E comes in a group of eight compounds that are fat-soluble. Some common forms are y-tocopherol and α-tocopherol. While y-tocopherol can be found in soybean oil, corn oil, some ...
  • About Stage 4 Cancer
    Cancer staging typically explains the severity of a person's cancer. By knowing the stage of the cancer the phyisican will be able to determine how far it has spread, be able to plan treatme...
  • What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer
    Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has started in your breast and traveled to other parts of your body. It has the exact same characteristics and cells as the original cancer. There are...
  • Who Is At Risk For Breast Cancer?
    Before going into the detail of breast cancer, it is important to understand what cancer means in general a term. Cancer is identified as the unusual growth of the cells in a part of the bod...
  • How To Organize a Walk For Breast Cancer
    There is a cancer breast walk that helps raise money for this organization, educate the public about cancer, and give those who are fighting it hope. The money is used for researching a cure...
  • About the Orgin Of Using the Color Pink To Represent Breast Cancer
    The pink breast cancer ribbon is often seen around breast cancer awareness month in October, but it is also proudly worn by many breast cancer survivors and advocates. The ribbon has come to...