Difference between revisions of "Know if You Have Breast Cancer"

{{fa}}Affecting one in eight women, breast cancer is second only to skin cancer in the number of cases of cancer diagnosed each year. It is the second leading cause of cancer death, following lung cancer.<ref name="rf1">http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-key-statistics</ref> Although men have a lower risk than women, they can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.  A history of breast cancer in your family makes it especially important to be proactive and be aware of any changes in your breasts. Awareness and early detection increase the success of treatment and survival rates.   

#Understand the changing research on the usefulness of breast self-examination. In the past, a monthly breast self-examination (BSE) was recommended for all women. However, in 2009 after the publication of several large studies, the US Preventative Services Task Force recommended against teaching women to do consistent and formal self-examinations.<ref name="rf2">http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Topic/recommendation-summary/breast-cancer-screening</ref> These research studies concluded that BSE didn't reduce mortality or increase the number of cancers found.<ref name="rf3">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC81193/</ref>

#* In other words, a BSE does and should not take the place of a physician's examination for detecting abnormalities. However, doing a BSE can help you become more aware of what is normal in your breasts and can help you  assist your doctor in detecting changes. BSE should never be seen as a way to replace a clinic breast exam done by a physician.<ref name="rf4">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/basics/risks/prc-20020418</ref>  

#Do a visual BSE. You can do this whenever you like, although it's a good idea to do it after your period, when your breasts are less tender and swollen. Try to do it every month at around the same time. In front of a mirror, sit or stand without a shirt or bra on. Lift and lower your arms. Look for any changes to the size, shape, tenderness, and appearance of your breast tissue, and the area surrounding, especially your underarm or armpit area. These changes may include:<ref name="rf5">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-symptoms-and-signs</ref>

#Do a manual BSE. The ideal time to do a BSE if you are still menstruating is when your breasts are the least tender, so usually a few days after your period ends.<ref name="rf6">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/basics/how-you-prepare/prc-20020418</ref> You can do the examination either lying down, where the breast tissue is more spread out and thus thinner and easier to feel, or in the shower, where the soap and water can help your fingers move more smoothly over your breast skin.<ref name="rf7">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20020418</ref> Follow these steps:

#* Lie flat and place your right hand behind your head. Using the first three fingers of your left hand palpate (feel) the breast tissue on your right breast. Be sure to use the pads of the fingers, not just the very tips.<ref name="rf7" />  

#* Use three different levels of pressure to feel the tissue at the top under the skin, in the middle of the breast and deeper pressure to feel the tissue close to the chest wall. Make sure to apply each pressure level to each area before moving on.<ref name="rf7" />  

#* Start at an imaginary line drawn down your side from your underarm and move in an up and down pattern. Start at the collar bone and move downward until you reach your ribs. Move across to the middle of your body until you only feel the sternum (breastbone). It's important to examine the whole breast so try to be a bit methodical in your BSE.<ref name="rf7" />  

#* Remember that your breast tissue extends to the area near your armpit. This area of the breast is often called the tail and can also develop lumps or cancer.<ref name="rf8">http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam</ref>

#Know your risk factors. Some people have a higher chance of developing breast cancer than others. Be aware, though, that just because you may fall into one or more of these categories, you’re not doomed to have breast cancer; however, it does mean that you should be more aware about your breasts and get regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. Some factors that indicate higher risk include:<ref name="rf9">http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors</ref>

#Watch for changes in breast size or shape. Swelling from a tumor or infection can distort the shape and size of the breast tissue. This change often occurs on only one breast, but may appear to be on both sides.<ref name="rf10">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/basics/symptoms/con-20029275 </ref>

#Note any unusual discharge from the nipple. If you are not currently breastfeeding, there should be no discharge coming from the nipple. If there is discharge, especially without squeezing the nipple or breast tissue, seek medical attention for further testing.<ref name="rf11">http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/breast_cancer_facts.htm </ref>

#Look for swelling. In particular, look for swelling around the breast, collarbone or armpit. There are aggressive and invasive types of breast cancer that may cause swelling in these areas before you can feel a lump in the breast tissue.<ref name="rf12">http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/breast-cancer-symptoms-what-you-need-to-know</ref>

#Observe for a dimpling in the breast tissue or changes in the nipple. Tumors or growths in the breast near the surface of the skin or nipple can cause a change in shape of the tissue.<ref name="rf13">http://www.breastcancer.org/questions/bc_signs</ref>

#Report skin thickening, redness, warmth or itching. Inflammatory breast cancer, though rare, is a particularly invasive and aggressive type of cancer. It may present with symptoms similar to an infection in the breast, such a tissue that is warm, itching or red. If antibiotics do not quickly resolve the issue you should seek the care of a breast surgeon immediately.<ref name="rf14">http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/breast-cancer-symptoms-what-you-need-to-know </ref>

#Be aware that pain is not normal. If you experience pain in your breast tissue or at the nipple area which does not resolve quickly you should seek medical attention. Breast tissue is not normally painful and pain may indicate an infection, growth, or lump or tumor. However, breast pain is not usually a sign of cancer.<ref name="rf15">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-pain</ref>

#* Keep in mind that if you are still menstruating or pregnant, you may experience temporary breast soreness, discomfort, tenderness as a result of hormone fluctuations. However, if you feel pain and it is persistent and unrelated to your menstrual cycle, you should still consult your doctor.<ref name="rf12" />  

#Get a clinical breast exam.  When you go in for your yearly physical or pelvic exam, ask your physician to do a manual check of your breasts for any suspicious lumps or other changes. Physicians are trained in how to do a breast exam and will know what to look for. This is why you should never try to replace this exam, though sometimes uncomfortable and awkward, with your own self-examination.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Your doctor will begin by checking the appearance of your breasts. You will be asked to raise your arms over your head and then hang them down by your sides while the doctor examines the size and shape of your breasts. You will then undergo a physical examination. While you lie down on the examination table, your doctor will use the pads of their fingers to examine the entire breast area, including the armpits and collarbones. The exam should last for only for a few minutes.<ref name="rf16">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/clinical-breast-exam</ref>  

#Get a screening mammogram.  A mammogram is a low-radiation X-ray used to examine breast tissue, and it can often detect lumps before you’re able to feel them.<ref name="rf17">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mammogram</ref> The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends a screening mammogram every one to two years for women 40 and older. Women who are younger than 40 but who have risk factors for breast cancer should consult with their physician about how often to have mammograms. Even if you have no known risk factors or symptoms, regular mammograms every few years as part of your physical is recommended. <ref name="rf17" /><ref name="rf2" />

#* Although the doctor may be looking for potential cancerous growth with a mammogram, the test can also detect calcifications, fibroadenomas and cysts.<ref name="rf18">http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/mamm_show</ref>

#Get additional testing if any lumps or other suspicious changes are noticed. If you or your physician notice a lump or anything else that raises alarm bells, such as nipple discharge or skin puckering, you may need to undergo additional testing to determine the cause and whether or not you have breast cancer. These tests may include<ref name="rf17" />

#*''Ultrasound'': Ultrasonic waves are used to produce an image of the breast. Current evidence reports this test is best used in conjunction with a mammogram. Although non-invasive and simple, the ultrasound will have many false positive and false negative results.<ref name="rf19">http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Ultrasound.html </ref> However, this imaging study is often used with great results to guide a needle biopsy of a suspected tumor.<ref name="rf20">http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/ultrasound</ref>

#*''Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)'':  This test uses magnetic fields to create images of the breast. You may undergo an MRI if the diagnostic mammogram does not rule out a tumor or growth. This imaging technique is also commonly recommended for women who are at very high risk of developing breast cancer, such as those women with a family history or genetic disposition.<ref name="rf21">http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastMRI.html</ref><ref name="rf22">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-mri</ref>

#Get a biopsy.  If the mammogram and MRI detect a tumor or growth, your physician may recommend an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy to determine both the type of cell growth and the surgical procedure or chemotherapy treatment necessary to treat the cancer. In a biopsy, a very small piece of tissue is removed from the suspicious area of the breast and analyzed. This procedure is usually done with a larger needle through numbed skin. Most breast tissue biopsies are outpatient procedures, and you won’t have to stay overnight in a hospital. Only in the case of a surgical biopsy (also known as a lumpectomy) will you be put under local anesthesia.<ref name="rf23">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-biopsy</ref>

#* It's important (and encouraging!) to note that 80% of women have a breast biopsy do NOT have breast cancer.<ref name="rf23" />  

#Wait for results. Waiting for the results of biopsies and scans can be a stressful and anxious time. People cope in different ways. Some like to distract themselves with fun activities and keep busy. Others find it useful to read up on breast cancer and try to learn about all of the options available if the diagnosis is positive. Some people also use the waiting time to reflect on their lives and (re)assess their priorities and relationships.<ref name="rf24">http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-results</ref>

#* Get plenty of exercise and eat healthily in order to keep your energy and spirits up. Seek social support from friends, colleagues or family members who have experienced similar situations and who may be able to offer insight and suggestions for effective coping.<ref name="rf24" />