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What R The Early Signs Of Breast Cancer

We Are Taught Almost Nothing About Breasts Our App Fixes That

3 Signs Of Breast Cancer You Should Never Ignore | Ask The Doctor

Introducing the worlds first app designed to improve early detection for breast cancerwith a twist of lemon. Learn how to self-exam, 6 ways to identify the 12 symptoms of breast cancer, track your period, take a risk quiz and get a custom screening plan to make knowing when to get a mammogram crystal clear.

How Do You Screen For Breast Cancer

Recommendations change over time. Now the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend that females perform breast self-exams at home. This is because its not a very sensitive way to screen for breast cancer. It can also lead to anxiety associated with false positives.

Instead, you should be aware of the shape and feel of your breasts in case any significant changes do develop. And you should have screening mammograms every 2 years if you are 50-74 years old. If you are older or younger than this and believe youre at higher risk, then you can discuss with your doctor whether you should have additional mammogram screenings.

Cancer In The Lymph Nodes

In rare cases, lymph node swelling may be related to cancer. Some cancers start in the lymph nodes. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma are types of lymph system cancers, as is acute lymphocytic leukemia.

More often, a cancer may appear in the lymph nodes as a metastasis, spreading from somewhere else in the body. Some cancer cells break off from a tumor and metastasize in another location. Those cancer cells may travel through the bloodstream and reach other organs, or go through the lymph system and reach lymph nodes. However, most of the cancer cells traveling through the bloodstream or lymph system will die or be killed off before they have a chance to metastasize, according to the American Cancer Society .

When cancer is present in a lymph node, a biopsy helps determine what type of cancer it is when the removed tissue or node is examined under a microscope. The cancer cells will look like the cancer cells of the tumor where they originated, so breast cancer cells in the lymphatic system will still look like breast cancer.

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Upon Passing The Course Educators Receive A Digital Teaching Kit Complete With:

You will receive the digital version of this kit upon completion of the course.

Your educator lanyard you will receive in your welcome kit.

  • Powerpoint deck with visuals for both in-person and virtual teaching events .

  • The digital version of the Know Your Lemons® teaching Flipchart & toolkit shown above.

  • Two digital games to play: a memory matching game to teach the 12 signs of breast cancer, and a steps for detection game to teach the options available for screening and diagnosis

  • A Know Your Lemons® app that can help those you teach stay on top of their breast health, book mammograms and teach them how to self-exam

  • A Know Your Lemons® teaching certificate

  • Access to the Know Your Lemons Global Educator Network, with webinars to exchange best practice and submit update requests

  • Ability to see your contributions as part of a global effort to reduce deaths from breast cancer

  • A welcome kit with lanyard and badge and 250 handout cards.

  • Exclusive access to a password protected page packed full of tools, printables, and social media images.

  • Recognition on our educators page with a KYL color branded headshot and location listed.

Your Breast Is Changing Colors

What are the myths associated with breast cancer?

Another symptom of inflammatory breast cancer is when your breast skin turns pink or reddish on more than half the breastsomething that can be hard to tell in those with darker skin tones. Sometimes these changes in coloration can be difficult to find in African Americans and in obese patients with very large breasts,Ricardo H. Alvarez, MD, leads the Breast Cancer Center Institute at Cancer Treatment Centers of America , said on the CTCA website. And for harmful habits you should be aware of, check out 30 Things You Had No Idea Could Cause Cancer.

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Early Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer

Common symptoms of breast cancer include:

  • A lump in your breast or underarm that doesnât go away. This is often the first symptom of breast cancer. Your doctor can usually see a lump on a mammogram long before you can see or feel it.
  • Swelling in your armpit or near your collarbone. This could mean breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes in that area. Swelling may start before you feel a lump, so let your doctor know if you notice it.
  • Pain and tenderness, although lumps donât usually hurt. Some may cause a prickly feeling.
  • A flat or indented area on your breast. This could happen because of a tumor that you canât see or feel.
  • Breast changes such as a difference in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of your breast.
  • Changes in your nipple, like one that:
  • Unusual nipple discharge. It could be clear, bloody, or another color.
  • A marble-like area under your skin that feels different from any other part of either breast.
  • Why Become A Volunteer

    We create educational tools and training to help our volunteer educators, known as Lemonistas, reach people in ways never before possible. We do that with breast cancer awareness materials that overcome taboo, literacy and fear, and are completely inclusive of gender, age, ethnicity and background.

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    Other Causes Of Breast Pain And Tenderness

    We often associate pain with something wrong, so when people feel tenderness or pain in their breast, they often think of breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer. Several other factors can cause pain.

    Clinically known as mastalgia, breast pain can also be caused by the following:

    • the fluctuation of hormones caused by menstruation

    Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

    Breast cancer – signs and symptoms | NHS

    Lobular carcinoma in situ refers to an area of abnormal cells confined to the breasts milk-producing glands.

    Because these cells do not spread to surrounding tissues, doctors do not lobular carcinoma situ to be cancer. However, it can increase the chances of developing other types of invasive breast cancer.

    This condition rarely causes symptoms. Doctors lobular carcinoma in situ during a breast biopsy for another problem in the breast area. In some cases, tiny white specs of calcium called microcalcifications appear on a routine mammogram.

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    How Long Can You Have Breast Cancer Without Knowing

    Breast cancer has to divide 30 times before it can be felt. Up to the 28th cell division, neither you nor your doctor can detect it by hand. With most breast cancers, each division takes one to two months, so by the time you can feel a cancerous lump, the cancer has been in your body for two to five years.

    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.

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    Beyond The Lump: Lesser Known Breast Cancer Warning Signs

    The more familiar you become with your breasts, the more likely youll be to notice changes. While lumps sometimes form deep within breast tissue , other breast cancer red flags occur on the surface of the breast. Theyre easily detectable if you know what to look for. Here are six symptoms to watch for. If you detect one or more, you should be evaluated as soon as possible by a qualified physician.

  • Warm, red, irritated and/or itchy breasts. These are among the most common early warning signs of inflammatory breast cancer.
  • Nipple discharge. With the exception of breast milk that may leak from breasts during or after pregnancy, any nipple discharge should be checked by a doctor. Clear or bloody discharge may indicate cancer.
  • Flat or inverted nipple. If this is unusual for you, have it evaluated by a doctor.
  • Scaliness. Healthy breast skin is smooth. If yours is scaly or inflamed, thats a red flag.
  • Changes in skin texture. If you develop a rash, puckering or dimpling on the breast, that could be a sign of breast cancer. Skin changes related to breast cancer may resemble the rough skin of an orange peel.
  • Change in breast size or shape. While its not uncommon for someone to have one breast thats larger than the other, any new change in breast size or shape, including swelling or shrinkage, could indicate cancer.
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    Can Breast Cancer Be Detected Early

    Some women with breast cancer may not develop signs and symptoms in the earliest stages of the disease. However, breast cancer can be detected early even before any symptoms appear. This is possible by screening tests. Screening tests means checking for the presence of cancer even if there are no symptoms of cancer. Screening tests can help find breast cancer early so that treatment can be initiated at the earliest.

    It is easier to treat breast cancer successfully when it has been found early and is small. This is why taking a regular breast cancer screening test is so crucial.

    The American Cancer Society recommends women with average risk to undergo a basic cancer screening test that includes a mammogram . The recommendations depend on their ages.

    • Between 40 and 44 years: Women have the option of whether to go for a mammogram every year.
    • Between 45 to 54 years: Women should get mammograms every year.
    • 55 years and older: Women can consider a mammogram every alternate year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. They should continue doing the screening as long as they are healthy and are expected to live for at least 10 more years.

    Average risk women include women with

    • No personal history of breast cancer.
    • A strong family history of breast cancer or a genetic change related to an increased risk of breast cancer.
    • No history of chest radiation therapy before the age of 30 years.

    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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    Breast Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

    Most breast cancer symptoms are discovered by women during regular dailyactivities like bathing. Knowing how your breasts look and feel, andbeing alert for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, like a lump,can help you detect the disease early, when it’s easiest to treat.

    Most breast changes are due to hormonal cycles or conditions that are less worrying than breast cancer. However, if you experience any of the following breast cancer symptoms, even if they seem mild, see your doctor.

    • A lump in the breast or armpit is the most common symptom of breast cancer. Patients often describe this as a ball or a nodule. Lumps may feel soft and rubbery or hard. Unless you have small breasts or the lump is very large, you probably wont be able to see it.
    • Nipple changes, including the nipple turning inward, pulling to one side or changing direction
    • Ulcer on the breast or nipple
    • Thickening of the skin, resulting in an orange-peel texture

    Though rare, men can also get breast cancer. The most common symptoms of male breast cancer are a lump, discharge or dimpling.

    Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer Recurrence

    What are the early signs of breast cancer? | Explains Dr. Tanushree Panday

    Despite initial treatment and success, breast cancer can sometimes come back. This is called recurrence. Recurrence happens when a small number of cells escape the initial treatment.

    Symptoms of a recurrence in the same place as the first breast cancer are very similar to symptoms of the first breast cancer. They include:

    • a new breast lump
    • redness or swelling of the breast
    • a new thickening near the mastectomy scar

    If breast cancer comes back regionally, it means that the cancer has returned to the lymph nodes or near to the original cancer but not exactly the same place. The symptoms may be slightly different.

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    How To Handle The Warning Signs

    Having any of these signs or symptoms does not mean you have breast cancer. Cysts, infections and other non-cancerous breast conditions also may cause symptoms.

    However, do call your doctor right away if you have symptoms or any time you notice unusual changes in how your breasts look or feel. Dont wait and see if the changes go away. Its important to find out what is causing these changes. If you do have breast cancer, early detection can make treatment easier and more successful.

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    Signs & Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

    Young adults CAN and DO get breast cancer. When it comes to breast cancer symptoms and signs of the disease, you are looking for more than just a lump. Breast cancer statistics show that nearly 80% of young adults find their abnormality themselves. So it’s important to get familiar with your breasts and aware of the signs and symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your breasts.

    Symptoms to Look Out for Include:

    • A lump or unusual thickening in the breast or underarm area
    • A change in color or rash on the skin of the breast
    • Unusual nipple discharge
    • Swelling of all or part of the breast
    • A change in size or shape of the breast
    • Itchy, sore or scaling of the nipple
    • Dimpling on breast skin or nipple turning inward
    • Breast or nipple pain that does not go away

    Consult your physician if you experience any of the above symptoms of breast cancer. If your concern is not taken seriously, you may have to insist on discussing whether further testing is appropriate in order to rule out a breast cancer diagnosis.

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    When In Doubt Get Checked Out

    If youre experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if youre having pain at times other than the start of your menstrual cycle, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting a mammogram. Theres no need to panic. Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist, who will typically examine you and then refer you for a mammogram. Mammograms effectively detect 84% of breast cancers so when youre given a clean bill of health you can set your mind at ease. If your mammogram detects a suspicious mass, you may need to be evaluated further. If you do have breast cancer, you can expect a better outcome, because the earlier cancer treatment begins, the better patient outcomes usually are. If you live in Maryland, Washington, D.C. or the surrounding areas and want to be examined by a breast cancer specialist, contact us at .

    Lymph Nodes And Staging Cancer

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    Oncologists use cancer staging to determine the extent of cancer in the body. Lymph nodes play an important role in one of the most commonly used staging systems, called TNM. The TNM system is based on the extent of the tumor , how much it has spread to nearby lymph nodes and the presence of metastasis . Each letter is assigned a numerical value based on clinical observations.

    If no cancer is found in the lymph nodes near the cancer, the N is assigned a value of 0. If nearby or distant nodes show cancer, the N is assigned a number that increases based on the number of nodes affected, the size and extent of the cancer, how large the nodes are and where theyre located. The numbers for each initial are added up. The higher the sum, the more advanced the cancer. The lower the TNM score, the easier it may be to treat.

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    How Does Breast Cancer Start

    Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control. Different kinds of breast cells develop into different types of breast cancer. Most breast cancers begin in the breast ducts or lobules . These are known respectively as invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Other less common types of breast cancer include inflammatory breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ.

    Though breast cancer is most common in women, men can develop it as well. A mans lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,620 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

    Any Change In The Size Of The Breast

  • A reddish, pitted texture that feels like the surface of an orange
  • A marble-like area under the skin
  • Any areas that look or feel distinctly different from other areas
  • Avoid panicking or jumping to the worst conclusions if you feel like you have any of these symptoms in isolation. These self-examination tips are only intended to serve as early warning signs and will require clinical corroboration by a physician.

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