Signs Of Breast Cancer
- pain in your breast
- any other unusual or persistent changes to your breast
If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP as soon as possible. If you know anyone who has any of these symptoms, insist they see their doctor.
Demelza said: Ive always looked at my boobs, checked and felt them.
Ive always been amazed at how many people have actually said they would never think to check. It takes two minutes.
At this time, when I didnt actually look and feel, it was the time that something was actually there.
Someone was definitely looking over me that day, for sure. Im a true believer in that someone was looking over me and saying, we need to get you to have a look Its really uncanny how everything unfolded.
, I was more concerned that I wouldnt be able to have my armpits waxed.
I got out of the shower and thought, oh my god, my armpits are so bad that I dont want to shave them, Im going to have to look at getting some home wax kit.
With that, I had my left arm up and my towel dropped. As my towel dropped, I went to grab it and I looked up in the mirror. The light was shining through the window, and I thought, oh, whats that?.
I thought, having had kids, it was just a stretch mark. I thought it was a stretch mark for a split second, until I put my arm back up.
I put my arm up again to check. I must have done it a good 10 to 100 times because every time I put my arm up it was there, and every time I put it down, it wasnt there.
Where Do These Numbers Come From
The American Cancer Society relies on information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute , to provide survival statistics for different types of cancer.
The SEER database tracks 5-year relative survival rates for breast cancer in the United States, based on how far the cancer has spread. The SEER database, however, does not group cancers by AJCC TNM stages . Instead, it groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages:
- Localized: There is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the breast.
- Regional: The cancer has spread outside the breast to nearby structures or lymph nodes.
- Distant: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body such as the lungs, liver or bones.
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Now she is urging women to be thorough when checking their breasts and to look for signs of visual change, such as dents and dimpling, as well as feeling for lumps.
Demelza said: “Just check your boobs. It’s so important that people don’t leave it. It takes two minutes to check your boobs. People have just got to do it.
“It can change your whole life. At the end of the day, you’ve got to do it.
“What’s more important – life, or getting bad news where it could be terminal?”
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No Remedy For Stretch Marks To Disappear
Unfortunately, there are no known natural remedies to improve stretch marks except for some essential oils that can improve the skin texture, says skin expert Nicole Zysk.
Though stretch marks slowly fade over time, there are still some that can even look more visible depending on the person’s skin elasticity. A person can undergo skin treatments that involve various techniques in making stretch marks firmer to improve overall texture.
“It will also improve new life to damaged tissue by creating new collagen, new cells, and melanin, which are all responsible for the color and the skin’s natural pigmentation to come back,” Zysk said.
It is advisable to consult a doctor for any new marks or imperfections, dents, or stretch marks in the skin to know its cause and avoid severe possible health conditions.
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Eliminate Red Stretch Marks
To remove the red stretch marks on the breasts, you need some methods such as:
What Are Stretch Marks
Stretch marks on your breasts are a normal physiologic response to stretching of the skin in most people, Dr. Ahktar says.
New stretch marks look like curvy lines or streaks that are pink, red or purple in color. Older stretch marks appear lighter in color and fade with time but may never disappear completely.
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What To Expect At Your Office Visit
Your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms, including:
- Is this the first time that you have developed stretch marks?
- When did you first notice the stretch marks?
- What medicines have you taken?
- Have you used a cortisone skin cream?
- What other symptoms do you have?
If the stretch marks are not caused by normal physical changes, tests may be done. Tretinoin cream may help reduce stretch marks. Laser treatment may also help. In very rare cases, surgery may be done.
How To Treat Stretch Marks On Breasts
Some people might want to know how to get rid of stretch marks on breasts. There are some simple ways to try to minimize stretch marks, if you choose to do so. However, no method has strong evidence to support its effectiveness. Stretch marks may fade on their own, so its hard to assess the efficiency of these treatments.
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Sudden Changes In Size Shape And Feel
Any unusual changes in the shape or size of your breast, like one breast suddenly becoming larger or hanging lower than the other can be a sign of breast cancer.
You should make an appointment with your doctor immediately if you notice a rapid increase in breast size, odd swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast.
Treatments For Older Breast Stretch Marks
Older stretch marks are harder to treat. Its not possible to completely clear older stretch marks, and it will likely take several sessions and a combination of treatments to get the best results.
We havent yet found that silver bullet to eliminate older stretch marks, Dr. Ahktar says adds. There might be some improvement, but you will not be 100% satisfied.
Doctors can achieve varying degrees of success by combining laser treatments with other options, including radiofrequency devices, microneedling devices, platelet-rich plasma , ultraviolet and infrared light therapy. Dr. Akhtar says fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers work best on older stretch marks.
When making treatment decisions, be sure to carefully weigh the risks, benefits and costs.
I dont encourage my patients to spend a lot of money trying to get rid of older stretch marks, Dr. Akhtar says, but more advanced lasers are coming out every day. Im hopeful that well be able to help patients with older stretch marks soon. The key thing to remember is that the earlier and more aggressively we treat them, the better the results.
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How To Prevent Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are normal and not a threat to your health. But if you want to minimize them, you can try some of the following tips. While its not possible to prevent stretch marks, there are a few things we can do to minimize their appearance.
- Maintaining a healthy weight is good for your body overall and can reduce the chance of getting stretch marks.
- Eating a healthy diet may help to protect your skin. If you lack certain nutrients such as vitamins C, D, and E, zinc, or protein you may be more prone to stretch marks.
- Using targeted stretch-mark oils or creams can minimize their appearance while youre pregnant.
What Is Normal
Breasts come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Theyre made up of fat, glandular tissues, milk ducts, lymph nodes, veins and nerves – all of which can affect the way your breasts look and feel throughout your life.
Certain changes – like swelling during your period, are considered common – however, it is still important to know what is normal for you.
This way, you will know what to expect from your breasts, and youll be able to spot anything unusual before it develops.
It is natural to think that your breasts may be abnormal, as there is such a variety of shapes and sizes.
Listed below are some features of breasts that are common sources of worry, but do not necessarily indicate
Remember that while such features are not necessarily a sign of breast cancer, it is important that you know what is normal for you so you can report anything unusual to a doctor as soon as possible.
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What Is A 5
A relative survival rate compares women with the same type and stage of breast cancer to women in the overall population. For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific stage of breast cancer is 70%, it means that women who have that cancer are, on average, about 70% as likely as women who dont have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed.
Can Stretch Marks Change Over Time
Just like scars, stretch marks change in appearance the longer you have them:
- Stage 1: When they first appear, stretch marks look red to purple. They are usually very light, raised lesions.
- Stage 2: As time goes on, stretch marks start to fade to a lighter color.
- Stage 3: As stretch marks become older, they may turn whitish and become slightly depressed, smaller marks. The surface may also become more wrinkled.
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What Does The Equipment Look Like
You will be taken to an examination room that houses the PET scanner, which has a hole in the middle and looks like a large doughnut. Within this machine are multiple rings of detectors that record the emission of energy from the radioactive substance in your body and permit an image of your body to be obtained. While lying on a cushioned examination table, you will be moved into the hole of the machine. The images are displayed on the monitor of a nearby computer, which is similar in appearance to the personal computer you may have in your home.
How How Does The Procedure Work
Before the examination begins, a radioactive substance is produced in a machine called a cyclotron and attached, or tagged, to a natural body compound, most commonly glucose, but sometimes water or ammonia. Once this substance is administered to the patient, the radioactivity localizes in the appropriate areas of the body and is detected by the PET scanner.
Different colors or degrees of brightness on a PET image represent different levels of tissue or organ function. For example, because healthy tissue uses glucose for energy, it accumulates some of the tagged glucose, which will show up on the PET images. However, cancerous tissue, which uses more glucose than normal tissue, will accumulate more of the substance and appear brighter than normal tissue on the PET images.
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Stretch Mark Treatments And Home Remedies
A range of medical treatments and home remedies is available to treat your stretch marks. Some work better than others.
Medical treatment for stretch marks
A skin doctor or plastic surgeon can use lasers or other treatments to help fade the marks. It may help your skin make more collagen:
-
Pulsed dye laser therapyis a painless blast of light used on new, red stretch marks. The lightâs energy calms blood vessels under your skin that could cause the marks.
Home remedies for stretch marks
Youâll find many creams, salves, oils, and other skin ointments that claim to either prevent or treat them. But thereâs little proof that any of these products really work. Some treatments and home remedies can fade or hide stretch marks:
If you decide to try a cream, lotion, or gel to fade your stretch marks, be sure to use it every day for several weeks. Take the time to massage it into your skin. These products may work best on newer stretch marks.
Are My Breasts Normal
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It’s perfectly normal to be self-conscious about your boobs, but it is important to remember that theres no such thing as normal breasts.
Shape, size, colour and even texture can all vary from person to person, as can the presence of nipple hair or stretch marks.
So if youre wondering whether your boobs are the wrong shape or size, the answer is probably not.
It is perfectly natural for your breasts to change over time too the ageing process can cause your boobs to sag as you get older, while hormonal imbalances, periods or pregnancy can all cause swelling or soreness.
Unfortunately, this significant, natural variation can make it hard for you to tell when things are wrong: swelling, changes in size, and even itchy skin can all be symptoms of a serious medical condition like
Its important to know what’s normal for you so you can notice any changes:
Unfortunately, this survival rate drops to 22% when people are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease.
To maximise your chances of spotting a symptom, you should try to familiarise yourself with the warning signs, and practice breast awareness.
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Why Do Breasts Get Stretch Marks
Stretch marks develop when the skin stretches. These changes cause the connective tissues, such as collagen and elastin fibers, to break and leave marks. They often affect the breasts, thighs, and abdomen, which are areas that change shape more quickly than other parts of the body.
The breasts are particularly prone for the following reasons:
- Hormonal events, including pregnancy and puberty, cause changes in shape.
- Breast surgery, for example, to reduce breast size or remove cancer, can lead to stretch marks.
- Changes in weight can affect breast size.
When these changes happen, the skin may need to adjust quickly, and stretch marks can develop.
Genetic
Limited research suggests almond oil and silicon may help, but there is not enough evidence to confirm they work. Studies have not shown that cocoa butter or olive oil have any impact.
Many products on the market combine these and other ingredients, but there is no scientific evidence to support their use.
The American Academy of Dermatology gives the following tips that may improve the effectiveness of products:
- Use them early, as older stretch marks may not respond as well.
- Massage the product into the skin, as this may improve its effectiveness.
- Use the product every day for several weeks, as it can take time for improvements to show.
A range of stretch mark products can be found online here. But it is worth noting that there is not enough research to show that any of these remedies are effective.
Risk Factors And Causes
Breast cancer would be the main concern with dimples, Dr. Smith notes. In that case, the tumor would be pulling breast tissue inward, creating both a lump and a dimple. calls this effect skin tethering, and it may not be evident until you move the lump around or press on the breast directly in multiple locations. Those researchers add that another sign of potential tumor activity is the inability to pinch the skin where the dimple appears because its being pulled too tightly from inside the breast.
Cancer isnt the only reason dimples may appear, though. You might develop them as a result of injury or a procedure like a biopsy. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery notes that dimples or rippling can be a complication of breast augmentation surgery where the edges of an implant are visibleand that this can be more pronounced when leaning over.
There may also be a benign tumor causing the dimple or dent, Dr. Smith adds. Similar to one thats malignant, this clump of cells could be growing enough to pull on the ligaments around it.
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Why Do I Have Stretch Marks On My Breasts
Stretch marks on the breasts may be quite common among teens. While many females get stretch-marked breasts when theyre pregnant, some develop them in their teens. This normal reaction of the skin happens when a persons body is growing.
But why do we get stretch marks? These marks may appear on our breasts when the skin, including the collagen fiber, stretches. The severity of the stretch marks will depend on several factors such as hormones , the intensity and duration of stress on the skin, and genetics.
While some stretch marks on breasts are barely visible, some are more noticeable.
Here are some common causes of stretch marks on breasts: