Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer And Stuff

What is it?

A cancerous tumor that grows within a the mammary tissues located within the breasts, armpit/axillary, side or chest areas, which are very superficial, or shallow; commonly seen as an abnormally large lump in the skin or felt with a hand. 

 Is any lump breast cancer?

Mammary, or breast tissue, is filled with all kinds of things like milk ducts, lymph nodes, muscle tissue, and nerves.  A large percentage of women have dense granular lumps that are non cancerous, but may appear suddenly and vary in size.  Many women mistake these fibercystic lumps for tumors.  The distinction between the two lumps can be tricky, but the characteristic that sets them apart the most is the texture of the lump.  Cancerous tumors tend to be round and extremely hard - like a marble or a bead.  They also do not move very easily and do not vanish and reappear like am infection.  Benign or non cancerous lumps tend to be grainy in texture, squishy, and extremely moveable.  Benign lumps can come and go based on female hormone routines and breast density.  Benign lumps usually do not become large enough to be noticed with the naked eye and do not change the physical characteristics of breasts, but can sometimes be uncomfortable or even painful.  

Bad Breast Changes

Negative characteristics of breast cancer may be significant to be seen with the naked eye.  These cancer characteristics may be observed in the picture above; every breast cancer varies from one person to the next based on age, ethnicity, weight, and other underlying demographics.  Cancerous lumps are usually felt, but not necessarily seen, however, based on the location of the lump and position it may be noticeable if the breast is in a bra, bathing suit, or even without anything.  

Skin dimpling is a bit harder to describe and a more serious characteristic.  It may be a sign of advanced stages of the the tumor's growth; it may be large enough to infect and absorb interior skin tissue causing dimpling.  With any changes concerning breast symmetry like one breast becoming significantly larger than the other and skin dimpling contact your doctor immediately.  

Changes in the color and texture of one breast or both is an indication of an even more devastating type of breast cancer that may not present with a breast lump at all.  Invasive breast cancer is a very fast growing, fast appearing type of cancer that usually attacks the lymph nodes in the armpit and breast tissue like a virus, causing them to swell.  It will usually cause one breast, or both, to swell abnormally large with an unusual new texture added to that breast.  This texture is often compared to the porous skin of an orange peel.  The skin may feel rough and tender, but more often than not present with a very strange color change, which can look like bruises, redness, or offset of skin color.  Any of these changes should be examined by a doctor immediately.  

Nipple changes are common characteristics of cancerous breast cancer.  The nipple is large duct connected to several thousand smaller ducts.  Often these ducts can accumulate a crystal like plaque, which is a pre-cancerous condition.  A tumor blocking or irritating milk ducts will cause the nipple to produce discharge like blood or puss, but mostly blood.  A breast that is swollen and weeping should be examined right away.  Other nipple changes include the nipple becoming inverted, or extended outwards like they are being pulled.  Usually a doctor or health care provider will be able to feel a lump in the vicinity of the nipple tissue that is causing the unusual changes. 

Maybe I have a problem - maybe I don't

So you have a breast that is larger than the other, or your skin has changed colors a little bit in the last month, but nothing too serious or alarming?  Best practice says see a doctor.  If you have any questions regarding your breast health or any concerns ask your health care provider.  Diagnostic testing may be done, but either way your provider may be able to answer your questions.