Although breast cancer can occur in men or women, it is much more common in women, and, according to 2009 information from the Mayo Clinic, is actually the number one most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in women. Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. The 2009 information from the Mayo Clinic also indicates that the good news is that breast cancer rates have been steadily decreasing for the past 20 years, mostly due to an understanding of the early breast cancer characteristics.
Size
The most common characteristic of early breast cancer is the size. The tumors start out small, often too small to detect on manual examination. In fact, according to the book "Surgery" by Josef Fischer, self exams do little to improve cancer outcomes because the tumors are so small at first. Regular screening with mammograms is necessary to detect the early small tumors.
Discharge
One of the early characteristics of breast cancer is nipple discharge. According to the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine, the nipple discharge can be clear to cloudy at first, but then often becomes bloody as the tumor progresses. Noticing the nipple discharge can be the key to early detection of a breast tumor.
Skin changes
As the tumor grows, it can change the appearance of the breast skin covering it, demonstrating another early characteristic of breast cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, the skin over the tumor can change color or become dimpled, flaky or it can start to peel. Those changes may become apparent before the actual tumor becomes noticeable.
Shape
A mammogram is one of the best ways to detect an early breast cancer. One of the early characteristics of early breast cancer that can especially be detected by a mammogram is the shape of the tumor. According to the book "Surgery" by Josef Fischer, while cystic masses are usually benign, an irregular or asymmetric appearance to a small breast mass may indicate an early tumor.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Breast Cancer
- "Surgery"; Josef Fischer; 2008
- "Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine"; Marc Sabatine; 2004
