The stages of breast cancer are rated from 0 to 4. As with all cancer, the earlier the disease is detected, the better the chance of a full recovery. The National Institutes of Health reports that the earliest signs of breast cancer are undetectable, making preventive tests and regular examinations all the more important.
Mammogram Picture
A mammogram is an X-ray that takes a picture of the breast tissue. Read by a radiologist and physician, the mammogram often provides the first signs of breast cancer because most lumps are not detectable by touch in the early formative stages. Additional tests such as ultrasound or MRI are performed to see the mass clearer, followed by a biopsy to determine if cancer is present.
Lumps
Through regular self-examinations, many women experience the first signs of a change in their breasts in the form of a lump that wasn't there before. Although a lump is certainly a warning sign of possible cancer, a lump doesn't necessarily mean that cancer has developed, reports Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit informational site. Often, a physician can tell by an X-ray of the lump whether it's malignant, but often a biopsy is required to test the tissue in a laboratory to make certain. Lumps that are hard and painless with ragged edges are more likely to be cancerous--though soft, tender, round lumps also may turn out to be malignant
Visible Signs
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization describes a number of visible signs that women should pay attention to that could be outward signs of cancer. Cancer may be the cause of sudden changes in the size or shape of the entire breast for no apparent reason, especially if the changes occur only on one side. Noticeable pain in one spot on the breast or redness and swelling could signal cancer.
Nipple Changes
Changes around the nipple also can indicate a problem. A doctor should check any kind of sudden discharge. Cancer may be present if the fluid is bloody or green. Fluid that is pus-like or clear to yellow in color also may indicate the presence of cancer. If one nipple is sore or becomes inverted, there could be cancer cells present. Scaling skin around the areola can be another early sign of breast cancer.
Advanced
Because many small tumors go unnoticed, many women don't get diagnosed with breast cancer until it has advanced. The earliest signs of the disease may show up in a variety of forms. Bone pain or sudden weight loss can be a sign of advanced breast cancer. The National Institutes of Health reports that swelling in the arm nearest to the infected breast often indicates signs of advanced cancer. Skin ulcers on or around the breast also can indicate advanced stages of breast cancer.
