When we are 20 years old, we are firm and we look at them every day with pride … around the age of 30 we develop a relationship with them, becoming a source for our little ones, and after 40 years, gradually, we see them increasingly changing.
Your body changes with the passage of time. Some changes are absolutely normal, while others have to raise some questions. The agitated lifestyle can put you in a position not to notice the transformations of your body, and the symptoms that indicate a serious condition may go unnoticed.
We recall that the most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer and that it occurs in 85% of cases in women who do not have a history of the disease in the family. In addition, a five-year study on a sample of over 22,000 patients has shown that about a quarter of cases of breast cancer were in women under 40 years of age, which is a alarmingly high percentage and stating that this disease appears more and more often at an younger age.
Every woman should know the signs and symptoms of a mammary affection, and when she discovers an abnormality, she needs to go for medical investigations to a surgeon in breast disorders.
Signs and Symptoms to Consider:
A change in how the breast or nipple feels:
- Sensitivity of the nipple, different from the sensitivity that occurs during each menstrual cycle or during breastfeeding.
- A palpapil nodule or thickening of a breast or axillary area – it is important to know that any node should be investigated by a specialist, although not all nodules are cancerous.
- The appearance of a bumping anywhere in the breast area.
Unexplained contraction of the breast – can be noticed by lifting arms over the head or placing palms on the hips, maneuvers that cause contraction of the pectoral muscles. - Pain (very rare – only in very advanced stages).
A change in the appearance of the breast or nipple:
- Any unexplained change in breast size or shape, especially if there is only one breast.
- A change in skin texture, redness or an enlargement of the pores in the skin of the breast (similar to the orange peel texture).
- Recent Breast Asymmetry – it is common for women to have a slightly larger breast than the other. If asymmetry has recently occurred, you should check the case with the specialist doctor.
- If the nipple becomes (easily) pulled inwards.
- Any nipple secretion, especially unilateral, spontaneous, haemorrhagic or colorless secretion.
It is also important to know that a milky secretion that occurs when you do not breast-feed has to be checked by your doctor, although it is unlikely to have a connection with breast cancer.If you find something wrong with your breasts, stop by what you’re doing, it’s time to put your health first and go to a control.
