Do I Have Breast Cancer?
Let’s start with the good news. 87% of women will never develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). But if you’re googling, “Do I have breast cancer?” and you’re worried that you are among the one in eight women (13%) or one in 833 men who will develop breast cancer, here’s what you need to know.
Early detection is your best friend.
The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat, and, ultimately, the better the prognosis. Regular screenings and attention to changes in your body are key components of early detection. Breast self-exams, while not a substitute for professional screenings, can also help you become more familiar with how your breasts normally feel and alert you to any changes.
What should I look for during a self-exam?
- Lumps or masses: A lump in the breast or underarm is one of the most recognized symptoms of breast cancer. Of course, not all lumps are cancerous.
Many benign conditions, like fibrocystic breasts or fibroadenomas, can also cause lumps. It’s important to monitor any new lumps or changes in the breast tissue and get them evaluated by a healthcare professional.
- Changes in breast shape, size, or appearance: Noticeable changes in the size or shape of your breast could signal the presence of breast cancer. These changes include swelling, asymmetry, skin dimpling, or an area of red, irritated, or inflamed skin.
Maybe you weren’t even doing a self-exam. Perhaps you noticed something was a little off, and you want to understand more about the symptoms of breast cancer.
What are other symptoms that might indicate breast cancer?
- Persistent tenderness or even pain: Breast cancer doesn’t usually cause pain in the early stages, but if there is persistent tenderness or pain in the breast, this could be something to explore further, especially if it is persistent or occurs along with other changes in the breast. Often, hormonal changes or benign conditions like mastitis may cause breast pain.
- Nipple discharge: A discharge from the nipple, particularly if it is bloody or occurs without squeezing the nipple, could be a potential for concern. Nipple discharge can also occur with non-cancerous conditions like an infection or benign growths, but it’s important to have it checked out by a medical professional.
- Skin Changes: Redness, puckering, or thickening of the skin on your breasts could indicate inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but aggressive form of the disease. The skin may take on a texture similar to that of an orange.
- Symptoms near the breast area: Pain doesn’t have to be limited to the breast to be something to cause caution. Pain in the armpit could be a sign of swollen lymph nodes. It could also cause swelling around the collarbone. Either can be an early sign that cancer has spread. But don’t panic. It may also be a sign of an infection or other non-cancerous condition.
With any of these symptoms, testing or an exam may be needed to figure out what exactly is going on.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Okay, you’ve read about all the signs and symptoms, but you might be wondering if there are other factors that make some people more or less likely to get breast cancer. Some of these risk factors include:
- Gender is an overwhelming factor statistically. Men can get breast cancer, but 99% of breast cancer cases occur in women, according to the World Health Organization.
- Family history of breast cancer
- Age increases risk, particularly when women are over the age of 50.
- Inherited genetic mutations (like BRCA1 or BRCA2) can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Personal history of breast cancer or other breast-related issues, such as atypical hyperplasia.
- History of radiation therapy to the chest area, especially at a young age.
- Hormonal factors like using hormone replacement therapy or even starting menstruation early or going through menopause late.
📖 Read more about breast cancer risk factors.
What do I do if I’m worried that this is me?
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women globally. So it’s perfectly normal to be concerned. No one wants to be one of the 2.3 million annual cases of breast cancer, but we at Defiant Health are here for you every step of the way.
📖 Read more about breast cancer detection.
It all comes back to early detection. The best thing you can do is be aware and take timely action to get ahead of breast cancer risk. It’s up to each of us to keep track of our health, but we are here for all your questions, concerns, or worries. If you are looking to get high-quality results faster, or simply looking for support, get started with Defiant Health today.
