Help Yourself In Breast Cancer Detection

Breast cancer is one of the most found cancers. Almost after every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with the disease. Even though, so many people are suffering from it, there is not enough of awareness in the people. With some useful information on detection of the disease, people can even tests themselves and this can lead to early detection of the illness. If the disease is detected in early stages, survival chances increase in dramatically.

With this disease, breast cells grow abnormally and these abnormal grown cell can attack the nearby tissues. These cells can even spread through the body. All the breast tumors are not considered to be malignent as there are certain types of large cell collections, which cannot spread or intimidate the life.

There are mainly two types of breast tumors namely malignant tumor and benign tumor. The benign tumor does not spread and harm the person’s life. The malignant tumor can spread throughout the body and can attack the nearby tissues. Normally the disease comes due to ducts or glands in the breast.

After every 3 to 4 years, clinical examination should be done in the age of 20 to 39 and in the age of 39 and above, clinical examination should be done every year. Also in the age of 40 to 49, mammogram should be done every 2 to 3 years and in the age of 50 and above; mammogram should be done every year. Self -examination for should be performed monthly at the age of 20.

Detection
There are some indications, which will help, in early detection of breast cancer. Almost 70% of the breast cancer is detected by self-examination. These indications are as follows-

• Single, firm and mostly painless lump is detected.
• A portion of the breast skin or underarm swells with unusual appearance.
• The veins on the breast skin surface become more prominent on one breast.
• The breast nipple changes skin texture and develop irritation.
• The breast nipple discharges fluid other than breast milk.
• A depression can be found on the breast surface.

These signs can be detected by self-examination. The self-examination test is very easy. In this test, examine the breast carefully and check if any hard knot, lump or thickening is there in the breast. Check if there is any pain in the breast. Also make sure if there is any change of skin texture or discharge of fluid from nipple. If you are having these signs, do not delay consulting the doctor.

As the breast tumor may take months or years to get large enough to observe, mammograms can be used to screen the tumors. The mammogram is useful because all lumps cannot be detected by the touch and it detects the tumor even before patient suffers any symptoms. So regular self-examination and mammogram is highly recommended for all females.

Also read our article about Breast Cancer Research