Breast Cancer Doesnt Mean Give Up Your Gym Membership
There was a time when women with breast cancer were told to rest, and exercise was an afterthought. But a growing body of research suggests that a reasonable exercise program not only wont hurt, it might actually benefit patients by relieving treatment-related fatigue, reducing the risk of lymphedema and improve cognitive function, which many women say can be impaired by treatment.
Finding Cancer In Adolescents
Cancers are often found later in teens than they are in other age groups. There are a number of reasons the diagnosis of cancer might be delayed:
- Most teens tend to be fairly healthy and might not go to the doctor unless they feel they really need to. This is especially true for young men.
- These years are often a time of growing independence, when young people begin to establish their own identity and lifestyle. Concerns other than health, such as spending time with friends, dating, working, or getting ready for college are often higher priority than health at this time. Many teens might not even have a regular doctor.
- Even when a young person does go to the doctor with symptoms, cancer is not usually high on the list of probable causes because its not common in this age group. Doctors might be more likely to think symptoms like pain or feeling tired are due to causes other than cancer.
Still, some cancers in teens can be found early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Radiation Therapy Or Radiotherapy
High-energy X-rays are directed at the breast to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiotherapy of the chest usually takes place over 5 weeks.
Radiotherapy can be vital after a breast-conserving surgery like a lumpectomy since much of the breast tissue is left intact. Most women who have a mastectomy do not need radiotherapy.
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Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented
There is no sure-shot way of preventing breast cancer since most of the cancerous genes are hereditary. However, you can mitigate the risk of having breast cancer by taking care of certain things:
- Monitor your weight: obesity can be a cause of breast cancer. Thus, it is important to keep track of your weight. Try to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
- Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking: smoking can be detrimental to your health, and it can worsen any pre-existing conditions you may have. Alcohol can have similar effects, so it is best to limit your intake.
- Be physically active: try to exercise or go on walks. Move your body as much as you can. This can keep breast cancer and other health conditions at bay.
Signs Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Another type of breast cancer, known as inflammatory breast cancer , will only rarely cause lumps or symptoms. This type of breast cancer does not show up on a mammogram. Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer may include:
- Red, swollen, itchy breast
- Tenderness of the breast when touched
- A pitted or ridged appearance of the surface of the breast
- Aching, burning, heaviness in one breast
- One breast that is significantly larger than the other breast
- A nipple that faces inward
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm
- Swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone
- Other symptoms that do not go away after you take a course of antibiotics
It is important to remember that several other conditions besides cancer can cause these changes. Eczema can cause changes to the texture of the skin on your breasts, for example, and many illnesses can cause swollen lymph nodes. Breasts may change size during your menstrual cycle, inverted or flat nipples throughout life are common, and milk leaks are very normal during pregnancy or shortly after you have had a baby.
If you notice changes in the size of only one breast, skin changes not associated with eczema, changes in the size or shape of only one breast, or have nipple discharge when you are not pregnant or during postpartum, however, you should seek a medical opinion. Other signs to look for are nipples that invert or flatten suddenly or a feeling of warmth inside your breast.
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Teen Breast Cancer Outlook
It is estimated by researchers that 80% of teens diagnosed with breast cancer at the ages of 15 to 19 will still be alive 5 years later. Since its extremely rare in teens, doctors may take the approach of wait and see by delaying treatment. Its still important to take appropriate steps in preventing breast cancer like maintaining a healthy weight and diet, avoiding tobacco products, and staying physically active.
Premenstrual Breast Pain And Swelling
- Main Symptom: breast fullness and pain.
- Cause: extra body fluid from female hormone cycles.
- Other symptoms: headache, swollen feet .
- Timing: mainly noticed in the week prior to menstrual periods.
- Course: improves during menstrual period and goes away between menstrual periods.
- Physical Findings: fullness that can be felt throughout both breasts.
- Onset: usually 2 years after onset of periods . Similar onset as for menstrual cramps.
- Frequency: 10% of teens and 50% of adult women.
- Treatment: mainly ibuprofen and support bra. If breast pain can’t be controlled with ibuprofen, 80% can be improved by birth control pills.
- Other treatments: daily exercise and getting enough sleep.
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Youre Experiencing Abnormal Tenderness Or Pain
You might experience some tenderness around your period, and thats totally normal. If youre experiencing persistent or severe pain, though, and you know its not due to your menstrual cycle, the American Cancer Society says it should be checked out. Even though breast cancers dont normally cause pain and tenderness, its still a possibility.
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How To Check Your Breasts For Early Signs Of Cancer
Knowing the symptoms is just one part of the prevention puzzle. You should also examine your breasts frequentlyand just be really aware of what normal looks and feels like for your own body. Here are some expert-backed tips to help you get started.
That normal were talking about has a name, Dr. Gary says: Think of it as breast self-awareness. It involves knowing the ins and outs of your breasts both before and during your period, a time when your hormones are in flux. It also means becoming familiar with asymmetry that might be normal for you, such as breast size differences or nipple placement. I tell my patients their breasts are twins but seldom identical, Dr. Gary says.
Dr. Flanagan recommends looking at your breasts in the mirror and knowing what they look and feel like. Its best to do it when your breasts are not tender or swollen, so make sure you wait a few days after your period. Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides, and again, with your arms raised high over your head. Look for any changes, she says, like the ones mentioned above. Experts no longer recommend doing routine structured self-exams , but rather stress this type of self-awareness so you can get in touch with your doctor if you notice anything that differs from your usual.
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Swelling In Or Around Your Breast Collarbone Or Armpit
Swelling in these areas can occur for many reasons but may indicate cancer. Breast swelling can be caused by certain types of breast cancer. Swelling or lumps around your collarbone or armpits can be caused by breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in those areas. The swelling can occur even before you can feel a lump in your breast. If you have swelling, be sure to let your health care team know as soon as possible.
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Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Symptoms
Lobular carcinoma in situ does not cause symptoms and cannot be seen with a mammogram. This condition is usually found when a doctor is doing a breast biopsy for another reason, such as to investigate an unrelated breast lump. If a person has LCIS, the breast cells will appear abnormal under a microscope.
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Signs That Warrant An Immediate Trip To A Doctor
Some common cancer signs that should result in a visit to the emergency room or to a doctor as soon as possible include:
- coughing up mucus tinged with blood
- blood in stools or urine
- lump in the breast, testicles, under the arm, or anywhere that it didnt exist before
- unexplained but noticeable weight loss
- severe unexplained pain in the head, neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis
These and other signs and symptoms will be evaluated. Screenings, such as blood and urine tests and imaging tests, will be used if your doctor thinks its appropriate.
These tests are done both to help make a diagnosis as well as rule out various causes of your signs and symptoms.
When seeing a doctor, be prepared to share the following information:
- your personal medical history, including all symptoms you have experienced, as well as when they began
- family history of cancer or other chronic conditions
- list of all medications and supplements you take
For some cancers that are screened for on a regular basis, survival rates tend to be high. Thats because theyre often diagnosed early on, before symptoms develop.
The 5-year survival rate for people with localized
Screening For Cancers In Teens
Screening is testing for a disease such as cancer in people who dont have any symptoms. Cancers are not common between ages 15 and 19, so there are no widely recommended screening tests to look for cancer in people in this age group who are not at increased risk.
Some people have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer because of a strong family history or because they’ve inherited a specific gene mutation from a parent. These might put a person at higher risk for cancers such as melanoma of the skin or colorectal, thyroid, or other cancers. People with these mutations may need careful, regular exams or tests starting at an early age to look for signs of cancer.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
Learning everything you can about your diagnosis can help you make informed decisions about your health. Here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Where is the tumor located?
- Has the tumor spread?
- What stage breast cancer do I have?
- What do the estrogen receptor , progesterone receptor and HER2 tests show and what do the results mean for me?
- What are my treatment options?
- Is breast cancer surgery an option for me?
- Will I be able to work while I undergo treatment?
- How long will my treatment last?
- What other resources are available to me?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can feel scary, frustrating and even hopeless. If you or a loved one is facing this disease, its important to take advantage of the many resources available to you. Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options. You may even want to get a second opinion before making a decision. You should feel satisfied and optimistic about your treatment plan. Finally, joining a local support group can help with feelings of isolation and allow you to talk with other people who are going through the same thing.
Causes Of Breast Cancer In Cats
Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease, meaning it has many causes- and many of them are not fully understood. Studies have shown that hormones are partially to blame- as with dogs, neutering at a young age rather than allowing heat cycles massively reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia in cats.
Some medications that mimic or include hormones have the same effect on breast tissue as natural hormones do. These medications are rarely used in modern medicine but may have had an effect in the past.
Retroviruses have also been isolated from tumors, but its not been proven that infection with these viruses causes a tumor to occur.
Lastly, genetics definitely play a role, as evidenced by the higher risk in certain breeds .
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When Should You See A Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, do not delay. Visit a specialist immediately. Do not forget to check your breasts once every month, preferably a week after your menstruation is over. Go for regular screening tests and mammograms at least once a year after you turn 40.
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A Lump In A Breast Or An Armpit
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump in a breast or an armpit. The lump may be clearly visible or can be felt by hand when examined. Sometimes the first symptom of breast cancer may be a metastasis in the lymph node, which can feel like a lump in the armpit.
It is wise to bear in mind, however, that not all nodules in the breast area mean cancer. Changes in a breast may also result from benign cysts.
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When Youve Watched Your Loved One Battle Breast Cancer
If youve watched someone you love go through breast cancer, you may feel scared, angry, guilty, neglected, embarrassed, or concerned about your risk of getting breast cancer.
These feelings are normal, and there is no right way to feel. It is good to express those feelings by talking to a trusted family member, counselor, or support group. It can also help to write them in a journal.
Pagets Disease Of The Breast
This kind frequently coexists with ductal carcinoma. It has an impact on the areola and nipple skin. These signs, which resemble eczema, include:
- Red, scaly, and crusty nipple skin
- Yellowish or bloody discharge coming from the nipple
- An inverted or flat nipple
- Itching or burning
Rarely occurring inflammation-related breast cancer exhibits symptoms resembling an illness. They consist of:
- A heated, puffy, and red breast
- Dimpled, leathery, or ridged skin
- A nipple with an inward turn
- A strange nipple discharge
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Myths About Breast Cancer
On the internet, there is a lot of misinformation concerning breast cancer. Do not trust everything you read, especially if it is not from a reputable medical source.
Who Is Mainly Affected By Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, second only to skin cancer. Its most likely to affect women over the age of 50.
Though rare, men can also develop breast cancer. Approximately 2,600 men develop male breast cancer every year in the United States, making up less than 1% of all cases.
Transgender women are more likely to develop breast cancer compared to cisgender men. Additionally, transgender men are less likely to develop breast cancer compared to cisgender women.
What age does breast cancer occur?
Breast cancer is most often diagnosed in adults over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age.
What race is most affected by breast cancer?
Overall, women who are non-Hispanic white have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer than women of any other race or ethnicity. Women who are non-Hispanic Black are almost as likely as non-Hispanic white women to develop the disease. Statistically, women who are Asian, Hispanic or Native American are the least likely to develop breast cancer.
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Everything You Should Know To Keep Breast Cancer Out Of Your Future
For a disease that has impacted so many people in our lives from mothers, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, friends, and even celebrities like Katie Couric and Olivia Newton-John, there never seems to be enough information out there. We broke down everything you need to know about breast cancer including types of breast cancer, causes of breast cancer, ways to treat breast cancer, how to prevent breast cancer, and more in this all-encompassing guide. So, read on and share, because the more we know, the more we can protect ourselves and those we love.
Other Breast Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of breast cancer may also appear in other ways. Abnormal tiredness, , weight loss, or other types of pain may all be signs of cancer in the body. Self-monitoring of the breasts is important so that changes can be detected well in time. In Finland, women aged between 50 and 69 are invited to participate in mammography screenings every two years. This countrywide and effective breast cancer screening is carried out so that breast cancer can be detected as early as possible. More than 80% of those invited participate in screening, and about two-thirds of breast cancers are found in the course of this regular screening.
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