by Breast cancer is cancer that begins in the breast tissue and occurs when cells in the breast change and grow out of control, according to Medline Plus, the US National Library of Medicine.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the most common types of breast cancer are:
- Infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Cancer cells start in the ducts and then break out of the ducts and multiply in other breast tissues. These invading cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
- Infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells start in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to nearby breast tissues. These invading cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
However, there are other, less common types of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease, medullary breast cancer, mucinous breast cancer, and inflammatory breast cancer.
That being said, the warning signs of breast cancer can be different in each person, since some people do not have any type of signs or symptoms, but some warning signs of breast cancer are:
- A new lump in the breast or armpit (under the arm).
- Increased thickness or swelling of a part of the breast.
- Irritation or sinking in the skin of the breast.
- Redness or scaling in the nipple or breast area.
- Sinking of the nipple or pain in that area.
- Discharge from the nipple, other than milk, including blood.
- Any change in the size or shape of the breast.
- Pain in any part of the breast.
Now, it’s important to note that factors that increase your risk of breast cancer include:
- Advanced age.
- History of breast cancer or benign (non-cancerous) disease of the breast.
- Inherited risk of breast cancer, including the occurrence of changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
- dense breast tissue.
- A reproductive history that leads to increased exposure to the hormone estrogen, including:
1. Menstruate at an early age.
2. Being older when giving birth for the first time or never having given birth.
3. Begin menopause at a later age.
- Receiving hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms.
- Radiation therapy to the chest.
- Obesity.
- Drink alcohol.
How to perform the self-exam?
Eight days after the menstrual period, a breast self-examination should be performed. and the first thing to do is observe changes in the skin, the shape and the size of the breasts and to do so you must have your arms next to your hips.
Then, they should put their hands behind their heads and look for dimples or folds in the skin.
Immediately, with the hands on the hip and pressing, it should be observed if there is a retraction in the nipple or any change in the shape of the breasts.
Subsequently, You should lie on your back with your arm behind your head and your breasts and armpits should be palpated making small circles in a clockwise direction to detect if there is any mass.
Finally, each armpit should be examined with the fingers to identify any foreign mass.
In any case, the information given above in no way replaces medical advice and therefore the first thing to do is consult a health expert so that he or she can guide the process and indicate what is most appropriate for each person. .
