Symptoms of breast cancer | How do you recognize breast cancer?

Symptoms of breast cancer

In the early stages of breast cancer, hardly any symptoms are usually noticed. However, above a certain tumor size, a nodular change in the breast tissue can often be felt. But not every lump in the breast must be malignant.

In the majority of cases, it is merely a benign cyst (a fluid-filled cavity in the glandular lobe). In contrast, in more advanced breast cancer, considerably more symptoms can be described, some of which are visible from the outside. Among other things, a new difference in size between the right and left breast can become noticeable, or a retracted nipple (nipple).

A secretion of secretion or blood from the nipple also indicates a change in the breast gland tissue. If the cancer has already spread via the lymphatic system, there may also be a palpable enlargement of the lymph nodes in the armpit region. But even if all these symptoms are present, breast cancer has not yet been proven.

A breast cancer can often be palpated from the outside as a kind of lump, but not every palpable lump means that breast cancer is present. In most cases, the reason for the lump is merely a harmless, non-malignant cyst that does not even require therapy. But sometimes it is also a malignant change.

However, it is not possible to make a reliable statement about the malignancy of the node by simply palpating it. A first indication, however, can be provided by its movability. If a node is hardly movable, this may indicate an ingrowth and attachment to the surrounding tissue, which would rather indicate a malignant process.

However, a precise differentiation between benign and malignant processes can only be made by mammography in combination with tissue removal. Pain is not a typical sign for the presence of breast cancer. In most cases, it is merely a hormone-induced, cycle-dependent pulling in the breast.During the cycle there is an increase in the concentration of estrogen (estrogen is the female sex hormone), which causes fluid to be stored in the breast tissue and the breasts to increase in size and weight.

This can cause stretching pain, but this should improve with the onset of menstruation, before which the estrogen level drops again. Although the pain should not be cycle-dependent, this is by no means a sure sign of breast cancer. Only a tumor that is very advanced and displaces the surrounding tissue can cause breast pain. These are usually described by affected women as suddenly occurring and increasing in strength. But even this pain is only suspicious in combination with other symptoms typical of breast cancer.