The symptoms of breast cancer vary according to its type, but often the first symptoms that patients notice are a lump in the breast or under the armpit. However, some may experience other symptoms, such as abnormal nipple discharge.
Breast cancer is a curable tumor if it is detected in its early stages, and it helps to early detect breast cancer by knowing and being aware of its various symptoms and signs.
In this article, learn about the symptoms of early and advanced breast cancer, as well as the characteristic symptoms of various types of breast cancer.
Early breast cancer symptoms
The presence of a new hard lump in the breast or under the armpit is the most common warning symptom of breast cancer, and the cancerous lump is often characterized by being painless, hard, and with uneven edges. Despite this, they can sometimes be tender, round-edged, and painful.
But, the initial symptoms of breast cancer may vary from person to person. Other early symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Peeling of the skin in the nipple or breast area, or the appearance of redness and rash.
- A change in the color or texture of the skin of the breast or nipple, such as wrinkling of the skin.
- An increase in the size of one breast or both breasts, or a change in the shape and roundness of the breast.
- A change in the shape or appearance of one or both nipples, such as a nipple inversion.
- Discharge from the nipple of the breast, other than breast milk.
- General pain in any part of the breast.
It is worth noting that the appearance of changes in the breast or nipple does not necessarily mean the development of malignant breast cancer, as benign breast tumors may also cause some changes in the breast, as may be caused by other conditions, such as eczema, enlarged lymph nodes caused by an infection or other disease in the breast.
However, it is always recommended to see a doctor immediately after noticing any of the symptoms that may be indicative of breast cancer to undergo appropriate diagnostic tests.
Symptoms of advanced breast cancer
Signs of advanced breast cancer include:
- One breast is enlarged
- Turning the nipple inward.
- Poor appetite.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit.
- The appearance of visible veins on the breast.
Symptoms of non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer (English: Non-Invasive Breast Cancer) represents an early stage of breast cancer, sometimes it is called Stage Zero.
Non-invasive breast cancer often does not cause noticeable physical symptoms, a lump or lump cannot be felt through touch, as the size of the tumor is very small and can only be detected with a mammogram.
Symptoms of localized breast cancer
There are two main types of localized breast cancer namely localized ductal carcinoma and localized lobular carcinoma. Both are types of breast cancer that rarely cause visible physical symptoms. And to clarify that:
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): it is rare for a patient to feel a lump in the breast or to notice physical symptoms on the breast. In most cases, localized cancer of the breast ducts is detected through mammography.
Localized lobular Carcinoma (English: Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)): does not cause any of the symptoms of breast cancer, nor can it be diagnosed through a mammogram. It is usually detected when a breast biopsy is taken for other medical reasons.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (English: Inflammatory Breast Cancer) rarely causes a lump in the breast, so it can be difficult to detect it through a self-or clinical breast examination or even through a mammogram. But in contrast, some signs of inflammatory breast cancer can be seen with the naked eye, such as:
- Swelling of the chest.
- Redness of the chest, a feeling of itching, and pain to the touch.
- A change in The Shape of the breast skin, as it becomes similar to an orange peel.
- A change in the size of the breasts, one breast may appear larger than the other.
- The nipple is turned inward.
- The feeling of heaviness, burning, or pain in one breast.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer often develop rapidly, and also this type of breast cancer may progress rapidly. Therefore, you should go to the doctor immediately after noticing any sudden changes in the breast or in the nipple.
It is worth noting that pregnant and lactating women may sometimes experience redness, swelling, itching, and pain in the breast, and these signs may be indications of mastitis that can be treated with antibiotics. But despite this, you should see a doctor if you notice these symptoms and conduct early detection of inflammatory breast cancer.
Symptoms of invasive breast cancer
Invasive Breast Cancer (English: Invasive Breast Cancer) refers to breast cancer that has spread from the initial site of infection, such as ducts or lobules to other areas of the breast, to lymph nodes, or elsewhere in the body. the symptoms of invasive breast cancer depend on the stage at which cancer has progressed and spread, and may include:
- The presence of a lump in the breast.
- Swelling of the whole breast or part of it, even if a lump is not felt.
- Irritation of the breast skin, or the appearance of bumps on it.
- Pain in the breast or in the nipple.
- Turning the nipple inward.
- The skin of the nipple or breast thickens, and the skin may look scaly.
- Discharge from the nipple comes out.
- The feeling of a lump or swelling of the lymph nodes under the armpit.
Symptoms of non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer represents an early stage of breast cancer, sometimes it is called Stage Zero.
Non-invasive breast cancer often does not cause noticeable physical symptoms, a lump or lump cannot be felt through touch, as the size of the tumor is very small and can only be detected with a mammogram.
Symptoms of localized breast cancer
There are two main types of localized breast cancer namely localized ductal carcinoma and localized lobular carcinoma. Both are types of breast cancer that rarely cause visible physical symptoms. And to clarify that:
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): it is rare for a patient to feel a lump in the breast or to notice physical symptoms on the breast. In most cases, localized cancer of the breast ducts is detected through mammography.
Localized lobular Carcinoma (English: Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)): does not cause any of the symptoms of breast cancer, nor can it be diagnosed through a mammogram. It is usually detected when a breast biopsy is taken for other medical reasons
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (English: Inflammatory Breast Cancer) rarely causes a lump in the breast, so it can be difficult to detect it through a self-or clinical breast examination or even through a mammogram. But in contrast, some signs of inflammatory breast cancer can be seen with the naked eye, such as:
- Swelling of the chest.
- Redness of the chest, a feeling of itching, and pain to the touch.
- A change in The Shape of the breast skin, as it becomes similar to an orange peel.
- A change in the size of the breasts, one breast may appear larger than the other.
- The nipple is turned inward.
- The feeling of heaviness, burning, or pain in one breast.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer often develop rapidly, and also this type of breast cancer may progress rapidly. Therefore, you should go to the doctor immediately after noticing any sudden changes in the breast or in the nipple.
It is worth noting that pregnant and lactating women may sometimes experience redness, swelling, itching, and pain in the breast, and these signs may be indications of mastitis that can be treated with antibiotics. But despite this, you should see a doctor if you notice these symptoms and conduct early detection of inflammatory breast cancer.
Symptoms of invasive breast cancer
Invasive Breast Cancer (English: Invasive Breast Cancer) refers to breast cancer that has spread from the initial site of infection, such as ducts or lobules to other areas of the breast, to lymph nodes, or elsewhere in the body. the symptoms of invasive breast cancer depend on the stage at which cancer has progressed and spread, and may include:
- The presence of a lump in the breast.
- Swelling of the whole breast or part of it, even if a lump is not felt.
- Irritation of the breast skin, or the appearance of bumps on it.
- Pain in the breast or in the nipple.
- Turning the nipple inward.
- The skin of the nipple or breast thickens, and the skin may look scaly.
- Discharge from the nipple comes out.
- The feeling of a lump or swelling of the lymph nodes under the armpit.
- Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer
Breast cancer tends to spread to some parts of the body more than others, namely the bones, lungs, brain, and liver. The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer can vary widely depending on the organ of the body to which cancer has spread. They may include:
- Back, bone, or joint pain that does not go away.
- Difficulty urinating or urinary incontinence.
- Numbness and weakness anywhere on the body.
- Persistent dry cough.
- Shortness or difficulty breathing.
- Loss of appetite.
- Flatulence.flatulence.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Constant weight loss.
- Jaundice, the symptoms of which include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
- Swollen feet and hands due to fluid pooling.
- Itching of the skin.
- Severe headaches.
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision.
- Seizures.
- Loss of balance.
- Feeling confused, difficulty speaking, or moving.
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