Breast cancer is a serious cancer that affects many women, as well as men. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Symptoms of breast cancer do not start immediately at onset. During the early stages of breast cancer, no symptoms are present. As the breast cancer begins to worsen, noticeable symptoms start. Developing breast cancer has recognizable symptoms like breast lumps and visible changes. By the time the breast cancer enters the most advanced stages, symptoms occur in the rest of the patient's body.
Types of Breast Cancer
According to the NIH, there are two main types of breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma begins in the breast ducts that move milk from the breast to the nipple; ductal carcinoma is the most common form of breast cancer. The other type of breast cancer, lobular carcinoma, starts in the lobules, which produce the milk.
Male Breast Cancer
While breast cancer occurs mostly in women, men can also have breast cancer. Symptoms of male breast cancer are a breast lump, breast pain and tenderness, according to the NIH.
Early Breast Cancer
According to the NIH, early breast cancer usually does not have visible symptoms; instead, both the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic emphasize breast examinations to detect breast cancer. Tests that can be used to diagnose breast cancer include mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, CT scan, sentinel lymph node biopsy and PET scan.
Developing Breast Cancer
As the breast cancer develops, symptoms begin to show. The patient will be able to feel a breast lump or a lump in the armpit. The lump will feel hard with uneven edges, but the lump usually does not hurt, according to the NIH. The patient may also notice a change in the size, shape or feel of the breast or nipple, such as redness, dimpling or puckering. In addition, fluid may be coming out of the nipple; the fluid may be bloody, clear-to-yellow or green, and the fluid can look like pus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Advanced Breast Cancer
When breast cancer enters the advanced stage, symptoms spread out to the rest of the body. Symptoms of advanced breast cancer include bone pain, breast pain or discomfort, skin ulcers, swelling of the arm that is the next to the cancer and weight loss, according to the NIH.
