Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in a woman, but it is luckily one of the earliest to be detected and treated as well. For this reason, there are plenty of breast cancer survivors who have made this disease a popular banner in our culture. This is by far one of the most widely studied cancers, and still, there is no single diagnostic test sensitive and specific enough to detect all the subtypes. Therefore, doctors usually need to perform routine imaging tests, and check-up physical exams to detect lumps or masses early enough, start diagnostic procedures and early treatment.
As a part of breast cancer prevention worldwide, clinicians have used social media and audiovisual advertisement to promote auto-exploration. However, women undergo several changes during their menstrual cycle, and their breasts are usually part of them. In this article, we are going to describe the most common symptoms found in breast cancer and when to ask for professional help.
The most common symptoms are as follows:
Breast pain
We have listed breast pain as the first symptom, not because it is the most common but because it is part of a common misunderstanding. Pain and tenderness to the touch is not as common as people think in breast cancer. In other words, if you have breast pain alone cancer is not the most likely cause. Pain symptoms may be located in the breast area or the underarm, and they only appear in inflammatory breast cancer, which usually involves swelling, redness, and other inflammatory symptoms.Read also: 14 Treatment For Breast Cancer
Thus, if you have breast pain, the most common cause is menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, and certain diseases like mastitis, which is not the same as breast cancer. If you experience breast pain along with other symptoms listed in this article, ask your physician and perform a routine check-up.