What are the symptons for breast cancer?

Question

Hey my friend is panicking, because she thinks shes got breast cancer. She says it hurts as well, i was thinking it might be growing pains because shes 15. Thank You.

Answer 1

It's prob growing pains, there are a lot of changes going on in the breasts at this age - even when we are older! My GP told me if it's hurting, it's prob not cancer? Only her GP will put her mind at ease.

Answer 2

First of all, growing pains is an old wives tale. No such thing, but at 15, her chances of having breast cancer are zero to none. What she's feeling is hormonal. All young ladies that are still developing, will have these and they will hurt. Many will tell you pain is not an indicator and for most it's true, but not always, She is to young to be doing any self checks because at that age even into early 20's, breast are normally lumpy. So no matter what, she will feel lumps, It's nothing she has to worry about. I can understand her fear because there is so much advertising and hype over breast cancer. Evey time you turn the TV on, there are all sorts of ads for breast cancer awareness. However, all the societies for cancer have failed in one way and that is giving information to teens. They failed to tell teens that and young women what their chances of getting breast cancer. I think and wish they would do something about that because then young girls wouldn't get so scared when they feel normal lumps, bumps in their breast. I've asked that question of one cancer society and never got an answer. I'm still curious. All your friend has to do is go on a web site with the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Koman Org and she will find her answer. She has nothing to worry about. This is a disease that manifest itself mostly in post-menopausal women. I was 58 when diagnosed and by the time I was 60, lost both my breast. I really don't care about it because I'm alive and it was caught in time. So, tell her to stay calm, not to worry, she doens't have breast cancer. OK. Blessings.

Answer 3

If a 15 year old had breast cancer, her case would be headline news and be written up in medical journals worldwide. It's THAT unlikely - the chances are as close to zero as makes almost no difference.



Breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s, and fewer than 0.1% of all those diagnosed with it are under 30. Only 5% are under 40, and most (80%) are over 50.



When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was classed as a 'younger woman'; I was 50 years old.



Pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer; most people diagnosed with it have felt no pain.



If she thinks she's found a lump - most breast lumps, even in women over 50, aren't cancer. At 15, when her breasts are still growing and developing, any changes she notices in them are almost certainly normal hormonal development.



If she's been doing breast self examination she should stop at once. At her age it will tell her nothing and worry her unnecessarily.



The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self examination at no younger than 20, if then. Before that it's pointless; firstly because there are so many hormonal changes that there is no 'normal' - and self examination is about a woman knowing what's normal for her and reporting any changes. And secondly because the chance of breast cancer is almost nil.



Advise your friend to talk to her mother; if she isn't comfortable doing that, she should talk to her school nurse who will be able to reassure her that she doesn't have breast cancer

Answer 4

Although there is no known cure for breast cancer but if it is caught early, it can be treated. Although this is not common in men, the signs that this disease may be present in a male or a female are the same.



However, it must be pointed out that these signs can also be an indication of something else.



There are common signs or symptoms of breast cancer :



1. The most obvious sign of this ailment is a lump in the breast or armpit. A self-examination test, once a month, or a visit to the doctor can expose any lump in this area.



2. Change in the size of the breast & shape. If you notice any unusual changes in its shape or size, do not ignore it.



3. There is nipple inversion & spontaneous single nipple discharge. If you observe that your nipples are turning inwards, this may be an indication that everything is not working as well.



4. Pain in the breast is not a reliable symptom but can also be indicative of other breast problems.

Answer 5

At 15, come on now.

Answer 6

most locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer are both palpable and visible, although in some cases, the breast is diffusely infiltrated and lacks a dominant mass. Careful palpation of the skin, breasts, and locoregional lymph nodes (axillary, supraclavicular, and cervical) is the initial step in evaluation. Large tumor size, fixation to the chest wall, fixed or matted axillary nodes (clinical N2 disease), or ipsilateral satellite skin nodules connote LABC. (See "TNM staging classification for breast cancer").

The diagnosis of IBC is a clinical one and is based upon the characteristic clinical presentation, defined as "... diffuse brawny induration of the skin of the breast with an erysipeloid edge, usually without underlying palpable mass" [2] . Patients with de novo IBC (primary disease) typically present with pain and a rapidly progressing tender, firm, enlarged breast. The skin over the breast is warm and thickened, with a "peau d'orange" (skin of an orange) appearance (show picture 1). The skin color can range from a pink flushed discoloration initially to redness or a purplish hue that seems to represent ecchymosis (show picture 2). At presentation, almost all women with primary IBC have lymph node involvement, and approximately one-third have distant metastases [17,18] .

Differential diagnosis — Several conditions may be confused with IBC, leading to potentially preventable delays in diagnosis and treatment. Infectious mastitis and breast abscess, which typically occur in lactating women, are generally associated with fever and leukocytosis. The inflammation that can accompany ductal ectasia is usually localized. Leukemic involvement of the breast may mimic IBC, but the peripheral blood smear is usually diagnostic. (See "Common problems of breastfeeding in the postpartum period").



It may be difficult to differentiate IBC from other LABCs or a breast cancer recurrence involving the skin, causing late inflammation. An inflammatory recurrence of a prior noninflammatory breast cancer has been termed secondary IBC. It usually develops on the chest wall at the site of prior mastectomy, but can rarely occur as a distant cutaneous recurrence.

Mammographic findings — Mammography may disclose an obvious tumor mass, large areas of calcification, or parenchymal distortion. Mammographic findings in patients with IBC may include characteristic skin thickening over the breast, with or without a dominant mass. In one series of 92 patients with IBC, an opacity or malignant type microcalcifications were present in 77 and 49 percent of cases, while skin thickening, nipple eversion, or stromal coarsening were observed in 94, 57, and 85 percent, respectively [19] . (See "Diagnostic evaluation and initial staging work-up of women with suspected breast cancer").

A core needle biopsy usually establishes the diagnosis. A full thickness skin biopsy is often obtained if IBC is suspected, since a hallmark of this disease is dermal lymphatic invasion by tumor cells. (See "Pathology and molecular pathogenesis of inflammatory breast cancer").

Clinical staging evaluation — Once the diagnosis is established, the following staging studies are generally recommended (see "Diagnostic evaluation and initial staging work-up of women with suspected breast cancer") [20] : Complete physical examination, including neurologic examination, to evaluate for potential signs of distant metastatic disease Bilateral mammography Blood tests, including a complete blood count and liver function tests Radionuclide bone scan Chest radiograph or chest CT CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis

An advantage of chest CT over chest x-ray is that it can also identify skin thickening, diffuse infiltration of the breast, and the presence of lymphadenopathy or thoracic metastases [21] .

PET scanning appears to be more sensitive for detection of metastases than other modalities, but its clinical utility is uncertain, particularly since the specificity of PET scanning appears lower than with other imaging modalities. Although breast cancer is a Medicare reimbursable diagnosis for PET scanning, it is unclear whether PET should be incorporated into routine staging maneuvers.