courtesy primadonna.eu
Every year in October, the nations of the world come together via different events using popular platforms such as social media to shed an even brighter spotlight on a disease that has taken and still continue to take unique women from our lives.
Breast cancer has been around since the times of Ancient Egypt and Greece, however it was in the early 90's that the pink ribbon emerged as a symbol of unrelenting revolt against a disease that had affected so many lives for so long.
At the centre of this fight, is not only growing areas of breast cancer research, but also the task of preventive measures that are geared toward educating communities everywhere about the signs of the disease to enable early detection.
BREAST CANCER WARNING SIGNS
- The Dreaded Lump
For many women the texture of their breast may already feel quite lumpy, this is ok, since the breast tissue under the skin has a lumpy texture.
Let's take a brief look at what the breast is made up of...
courtesy www.soc.uscb.edu
N.B (Mammary glands is just a term used to describe the structures that produce milk.)
This way, if there is a particular lumpiness that is different from what is considered to be normal, one that may feel harder compared to the rest of your breast, your next stop should be to a doctor. Please note that it is also possible to find lumps under the arms.
It is important to mention here, that there are conditions such as cysts and fibroadenoma (non-cancerous tumours) that cause lumps in the breasts. Some women reading this now may have already suffered from these conditions. Some women may have had a non-cancerous lump in their breast for years. Despite this, if this lump changes in size and texture, or you find a new lump, do not assume it is just the same thing repeating itself.
A new lump, can be a different lump, and an old lump, can become a different lump.
Remember, do not assume... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Painful and Tender Breasts
To be quite frank, something as simple as a badly adjusted brassiere can cause breast pain for women. Tenderness and painful breasts can also be linked to other events, such as the menstrual cycle, the use of birth control pills. Also, women who are very well endowed may also have breast pain that is associated to back and neck pain.
However... although pain is not as noticeable as a lump or as frequent as a sign of breast cancer, it ought not be taken for granted, especially when:
- It comes outside of the menstrual cycle
- Continues through and after your period
- It is a new pain located in one particular spot that isn't relieved by anything.
- Is associated with a lump and the other signs that follow.
- Changes in Breast Size, and Shape
The skin covering the breast tissue also has its own way of showing you that something more sinister may be happening underneath it. Take into consideration:
- Darkening of the skin
- Dimpling/pitting of the skin, similar to that of an orange. Click here
- Itchiness, and redness, or the appearance of an unexplainable rash
- The skin of the breast in question may be uncharacteristically warmer than that of its twin.
- Never forget the Nipples
- You may notice a discharge from the nipple that drains either by itself or when you apply pressure. This discharge may be clear, yellow, slightly bloody, or even brownish.
- The nipple may seem to be a bit off the centre, as if being pulled downwards. This is known as retraction.
- There are some women who are born with inverted nipples, but if you aren't one of these women and your nipple has progressively become inverted, this is a very worrying sign that may indicate breast cancer.
- Nipples themselves may change shape, or you may notice that your nipples start to itch and become flaky and develop a rash or sore that is difficult to heal.
All these signs are even moreso telling as they usually occur only in one breast, that becomes a quite uncomfortable comparison to the other that does not change.
At times, even though presenting with one, or more of these signs, there are women who still ignore or deny the possibility of breast cancer.
In a way this is understandable as fear of discovering something that is more than unpleasant... to say the least is at times frightening and the only way we think we can protect ourselves from facing this fear is denying that a problem exists.
Sadly, ignoring the problem, does not make it go away, but only worsens the outcome.
This is why education about early detection is one of the hallmarks of breast cancer awareness.
Lets Summarize...
If you have any of these signs. Go to the nearest doctor. Refuse to wait any longer, and take control of the life given to you. Early detection means a better outcome.
At times, even though presenting with one, or more of these signs, there are women who still ignore or deny the possibility of breast cancer.
In a way this is understandable as fear of discovering something that is more than unpleasant... to say the least is at times frightening and the only way we think we can protect ourselves from facing this fear is denying that a problem exists.
Sadly, ignoring the problem, does not make it go away, but only worsens the outcome.
This is why education about early detection is one of the hallmarks of breast cancer awareness.
Lets Summarize...
courtesy cancerworld.info
If you have any of these signs. Go to the nearest doctor. Refuse to wait any longer, and take control of the life given to you. Early detection means a better outcome.
Please click to see the ---> 5 easy steps to the breast self examination.
The video below is a very informative animation of how a breast self exam is also done.
The video below is a very informative animation of how a breast self exam is also done.
courtesy health central youtube channel
Wear your pink ribbon proudly. Share the information. Stay Aware.
Do you know the risk factors of breast cancer? Check out the upcoming post.
Do you know the risk factors of breast cancer? Check out the upcoming post.
Blessings to you and yours,
#wadadlianstrong,
© October 2015
