10 signs and symptoms of breast cancer in women

After the major signs and symptoms of breast cancer come up, it means the disease has become fully blown up. Breast cancer passes through stages I, II, IIIA, IIIB & IV, before it becomes an advanced cancer, which may be difficult to treat. It is highly important to practise BSE. 

BSE is when a woman stands in front of a mirror, to check her two breasts, in order to know if there are lumps there or not. In case she discovers any strange feeling in her breast, she should see the doctor immediately.

In some cases, surgery is performed, whereby different treatments are carried out. The woman with breast cancer may be told that, the affected breast with cancer, would be cut off.

Below are a list of 10 signs and symptoms of breast cancer 

1. There is retraction of the nipples, meaning the nipple may start to sag. 

2. There is persistent sore or ulcer on the breast. The ulcer will refuse to heal, or respond to treatment or medication. The ulcer increases in size later on.

3. Lumps develop in the breasts. These lumps could be firm or hard, with poorly delimited margins and they are usually painless. 

4. There is a very small erosion of the nipples in the two breasts, with watery or bloody discharge. 

5. A woman with signs of breast cancer will start feeling swelling around her armpit regions. 

6. The position or shape of the nipples will change. The nipples which should normally be pointed froward, will bend upwards, or downwards or sideways, when breast cancer is about to emerge. 

7. There is unusual loss of weight. There is persistent fever, which the cause can not be ascertained, and also there is general weakness of the body. 

8. Constant pain in one part of the breast begins to happen. 

9. The nipples are surrounded by unusual rashes. 

10. Minimal symmetry of the two breasts. This condition is when one of the two breasts, becomes noticeable larger than the other one. Or, when one of the two breasts, becomes lower or higher than the second breast. 

According to Dr Abutoh, a renowned Lagos medical practitioner, he said: “The incidents of breast cancer is however, not restricted to Nigeria alone. It cuts across race and religion. Breast carcinoma (that is breast cancer), could be either ductal (beginning in the lining of the ducts in the breasts), or lobular (which arises in the lobules found in the lobes of the breasts). 

“Ultasonography, when used in conjunction with mammography, indicates whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid.” 

Naij