Does Nipple Pain Mean Breast Cancer

Do Underwire Bras Cause Breast Cancer

Underwire bras do not increase your risk of breast cancer.

There have been some concerns that the wires in the cup of underwire bras may restrict the flow of lymph fluid in the breast causing toxins to build up in the area. However, theres no reliable evidence to support this.

If your bra is too tight or too small, the wires can dig into your breasts and cause discomfort, pain or swelling. Find out more about wearing a well-fitting bra.

Metastatic Breast Cancer And Pain

Metastatic breast cancer may also cause pain. It could be from a larger tumorthese are often over 2 centimeters in diameteror pain in other regions of the body due to the spread of cancer. If breast cancer spreads to your bones, it may cause bone pain, or back pain with leg weakness. If cancer spreads to your brain, it may cause headaches.

If breast cancer travels to the adrenal glands, you may feel a dull back pain. If your breast cancer spreads to your liver, you could have pain in the upper right part of your abdomen and develop jaundice .

Do Mobile Phones Cause Breast Cancer

Theres no evidence that radiation from mobile phones has any effect on your risk of developing breast cancer.

Some people worry that radio waves produced and received by mobile phones may be a health risk, especially if they keep their phone in their breast pocket.

However, theres currently no evidence that radio waves from mobile phones cause breast cancer or increase the risk of developing it.

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Red Flaky Itchy Warm Or Thickened Skin

Sometimes, red, flaky, itchy, warm, or thickened skin can be a sign of breast cancer. Thickened skin may begin to feel like an orange peel. The most common cause of these symptoms is mastitis. Mastitis is an infection that can occur while breastfeeding but is also a sign of breast cancer. If youre experiencing these symptoms and theyve lasted more than a week, you should talk to your doctor.

The Evaluation Of Common Breast Problems

MONICA MORROW, M.D., Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois

Am Fam Physician. 2000 Apr 15 61:2371-2378.

See related patient information handout on breast pain, written by Amy S. Weichel, D.O., AFP’ s editorial fellow.

• References

The most common breast problems for which women consult a physician are breast pain, nipple discharge and a palpable mass. Most women with these complaints have benign breast disease. Breast pain alone is rarely a presenting symptom of cancer, and imaging studies should be reserved for use in women who fall within usual screening guidelines. A nipple discharge can be characterized as physiologic or pathologic based on the findings of the history and physical examination. A pathologic discharge is an indication for terminal duct excision. A dominant breast mass requires histologic diagnosis. A breast cyst can be diagnosed and treated by aspiration. The management of a solid mass depends on the degree of clinical suspicion and the patient’s age.

Breast disease in women encompasses a spectrum of benign and malignant disorders. The frequency of breast cancer varies with the age of the patient and the presenting complaint. Breast pain, a nipple discharge and a palpable mass are the most common breast problems for which women consult a physician.

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When To See Your Healthcare Provider

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have breast pain from any cause. Even if it’s not due to cancer, many women find that breast pain decreases their quality of life. In one study, 15% of women experienced breast pain at some time in their life that interfered with work and family activities. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any unusual discomfort.

Does Itchy Breasts Mean Cancer

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Possible Causes Of Painful Lump In Breast

1. Generalized Breast Lumpiness

Once known as fibrocystitis or fibrocystic disease of the breasts, it was eventually realized this condition is so common and it’s, in fact, considered normal. Characterized by many nodular lumps in the breasts or varying areas of thickness in certain areas of the breast, painful lump in the breast can also feel as though there are clusters of small bumps which are tender to touch. There is typically a tendency for this to flare up during the menstrual period or pregnancy and is considered completely normal. Hormone therapy will also exacerbate this condition. Though it can be chronic, it often abates after menopause. With consistent breast exams, you can assure that none of these lumps are cancerous, as they are often benign.

2. Cysts and Abscess Lumps

3. Fat Necrosis

Necrosis means “death of tissue,” so the connotation is generally not a favorable one. However, in this case it would be a potential cause of a painful breast lump. The fat cells in the breasts will become inflamed and altered to form into round lumps which are typically firm upon palpation. The necrosis will typically occur after a firm, bruising impact to the area or some other type of injury in the chest. It may take weeks for fat necrosis to form after an injury occurs.

4. Adenomas

5. Blood Clots

What Is Normal Breast Pain

Women may experience breast pain during puberty, menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, menopause, and after childbirth. Breast pain felt during these times is considered normal. Breast pain associated with menstrual periods called cyclic breast pain normally goes away on its own. Some swelling and tenderness is normal before or during the hormone fluctuations that occur during menstruation.

Fibrocystic breast changes may also cause breast pain. Fibrocystic breasts may contain lumps or cysts that can grow tender leading up to a menstrual period.

Some women experience breast pain during breast feeding. Breast pain may occur when breasts swell with milk, or other complications from breast feeding. Meeting with a lactation consultant can help.

Other factors that can contribute to breast pain include breast size, diet, smoking, breast surgeries, and certain medications.

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Does Breast Pain Indicate Breast Cancer

While breast pain can indicate breast cancer, it is not a common symptom of breast cancer. However, pain with other symptoms like nipple discharge, lumps, thickening of the skin, change in size or shape, or changes in texture or appearance of the skin should be evaluated by your primary care physician as they could indicate cancer or other, benign problems.

If you experience any of these symptoms, including breast pain, contact your primary care physician.

Of course, breast cancer doesnt always show symptoms. Its possible for a woman to have breast cancer without even knowing it. Thats why screening is so important in preventing breast cancer. The Breast Center recommends annual screening mammograms starting at age 40.

What Is A Normal Breast

No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. For more information, see the National Cancer Institutes Breast Changes and Conditions.external icon

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Symptoms Of Angiosarcoma Of The Breast

Another rare form of breast cancer, angiosarcoma forms inside the lymph and blood vessels. Only a biopsy may definitively diagnose this type of cancer. Angiosarcoma can cause changes to the skin of your breast, such as the development of purple-colored nodules that resemble a bruise. These nodules, if bumped or scratched, may bleed. Over time, these discolored areas may expand, making your skin appear swollen in that area. You may or may not have breast lumps with angiosarcoma. If you also have lymphedema, which is swelling caused by a buildup of lymphatic fluid, angiosarcoma may occur in the affected arm. Cancer treatment sometimes damages the lymph vessels, which may lead to lymphedema.

Breast Pain: 10 Reasons Your Breasts May Hurt

Most women experience some form of breast pain at one time or another. Breast pain is typically easy to treat, but on rarer occasions it can be a sign of something more serious.

Medical director of the Suburban Hospital Breast Center Pamela Wright, M.D., discusses the most common causes of breast pain , their treatments and when to see a doctor:

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms

A rare type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer can have different symptoms to other types.

Your whole breast might look red and inflamed and feel sore. The breast might feel hard and the skin might look like orange peel.

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

• Find out about inflammatory breast cancer

Advice For Caring For A Loved One With Breast Cancer

If your loved one has breast cancer, your first response may be fear and uncertainty. You may also find yourself in a caregiving role once treatment begins. Cancer treatment is hard on the body, so your loved one may need more support throughout the day. If your spouse has breast cancer, you may have to take on a bigger role with childcare and housework.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you step into your caregiving role:

Breast cancer will impact your loved one even after theyve finished treatment. Dont wait for things to return to normal to celebrate. Celebrate milestones such as finishing surgery or making it through chemotherapy. If the cancer is in remission, celebrate, even if your loved one doesnt have their energy back yet. It will take time for cancer to be behind you. Embrace your new normal as you support your loved one through their cancer.

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Fat Necrosis And Oil Cysts

• Damage to the breast from injury, surgery, or radiation treatment may cause a lump. The skin around it may look thicker, red, or bruised. This condition is more common in women with very large breasts.
• No treatment is needed unless the lump is causing discomfort.
• This condition does not increase breast cancer risk.

Bse And Breast Awareness

Breast self-examination is a systematic method of regular self-inspection and palpation of the breast and axilla. Two large population-based randomized controlled trials in Russia and Shanghai followed up over a 5-year period could not demonstrate any beneficial effect of screening by BSE in terms of the size of primary tumor, incidence of lymph node involvement at detection, or cancer-related mortality. Several studies have shown that awareness regarding BSE is low and very few women practice it regularly.

At present, the emphasis is to raise breast cancer awareness among women and furthermore raise their knowledge about the warning signs of breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness programs have been very successful on several grounds including creation of greater compliance with breast cancer prevention and screening strategies. Being breast aware is currently defined as a woman becoming familiar with her own breasts and the way they change throughout her life. This enhances her sensitivity and alerts her to any abnormal change in the breast, at the earliest. The important warning signs to be looked for are as follows.

• Lump, thickening, continuous pain in one part of the breast.

• Change in size or lowering of one breast.

• Discharge from nipples, rashes over nipple, changes in shape or position of nipple, nipple inversion, any skin changes like puckering or dimpling.

• Swelling or pain under the armpit or around the collar bone

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Pain And Tenderness In The Armpit

According to studies, the first place breast cancer spreads to is the axillary lymph nodes .

The axillary lymph nodes indicate breast cancer in the same way the lymph nodes in the neck and throat indicate a flu, making the axillaries an essential place for onset discovery.

The journal of Clinical Oncology reported about the significance of axillary lymph node metastasis in primary breast cancer saying that axillary lymph node status is the single most important prognostic variable in the management of patients with primary breast cancer.7

The American Cancer Society says that sometimes a breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone and cause a lump or swelling there, even before the original tumor in the breast tissue is large enough to be felt.1 Therefore any pain or discomfort in the left or right armpit is something that should definitely be tested and you should also be aware of the other causes of armpit pain.

The first thing to do is to compare the painful armpit to the other armpit. If the difference is persistently evident, its worth consulting an expert.

Does Deodorant Cause Cancer

Using deodorant or antiperspirant does not cause breast cancer.

Claims that deodorants or antiperspirants increase your risk of breast cancer have been around for several years.

Some people have also claimed that aluminium in antiperspirants can increase your risk.

However, theres no convincing evidence of a link between breast cancer and deodorants, antiperspirants or their ingredients.

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Breast Thickening Or Swelling

Breast thickening or swelling may be a sign of breast cancer. Swelling can also occur around your collarbone or armpits. This may be a sign that breast cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. Sometimes, patients notice breast swelling without ever noticing a lump. Thickening or swelling may cause a noticeable change in the size or shape of your breasts. Thickening or swelling may occur in one breast, or in both.

Types Of Breast Cancer

There are two categories that reflect the nature of breast cancer:

• Noninvasive cancer is cancer that hasnt spread from the original tissue. This is referred to as stage 0.
• Invasive cancer is cancer thats spread to surrounding tissues. These are categorized as stages 1, 2, 3, or 4.

The tissue affected determines the type of cancer:

• Ductal carcinoma is a cancer that forms in the lining of the milk ducts. This is the most common type of breast cancer.
• Lobular carcinoma is cancer in the lobules of the breast. The lobules are where milk is produced.
• Sarcoma is cancer in the breasts connective tissue. This is a rare type of breast cancer.

When you visit your doctor with concerns about breast pain, tenderness, or a lump, there are common tests they might perform.

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Changes In The Skin Texture On Or Around Breast: Dimpling

Dimpling of the skin could suggest that the tiny channels in the breast, called lymph vessels, which help get rid of waste products from the body, have become blocked. This causes the breast to become inflamed and swollen and a large area of skin to develop little dimples, like orange peel. In some cases, this is a sign of a type of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer.

Treatment Options For Seniors With Breast Cancer

Recommendations state that women with a life expectancy of 10 years or more should get mammograms. Life expectancy is difficult to predict, so older patients should talk to their doctors about mammograms to decide on the best plan for them.

Breast cancer treatment for seniors is evolving. Standard breast cancer treatment can include:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Hormone Therapy

There is evidence that many older women do well with surgery and hormone therapy. Older women are more likely to have breast cancer that is responsive to hormone therapy.Some doctors don’t think that radiation is necessary for these patients. Researchers are working to find the best course of treatment for older women. In general, older women have received the same treatments as younger women. Now, doctors recognize that older women with breast cancer are unique, and they are beginning to treat them according to their specific needs.

Cancer treatment decisions are very personal because treatments have side effects and challenges. For some women, the toll of aggressive treatment might not be worth the benefits. Older patients who experience frailty may have a harder time recovering from treatment.

Resources:

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Grades Of Nipple Inversion

Nipple inversion is classified by grades, based on how serious the condition is.

• Grade 1. The nipple can easily be pulled outward, and will sometimes stand out on its own with cold or stimulation. You can still breastfeed.
• Grade 2. The nipple can be pulled outward, but it quickly goes back to its original shape. You may have trouble breastfeeding.
• Grade 3. The condition is most severe. You may not be able to pull the nipple out at all or breastfeed.