Breast cancer is a serious condition that can have different symptoms for different people. Most people don't notice any signs at all, but the most common symptom is a lump in the breast or armpit. Other symptoms include skin changes, pain, a nipple that is pulled inward, and unusual discharge from the nipple. Treatment for
breast cancer
usually involves a combination of therapies, such as radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and hormone therapy.Radiation therapy is typically given after a lumpectomy or mastectomy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy is used when
breast cancer
has spread to other areas of the body. Hormone therapy can lower estrogen levels or stop estrogen from attaching to breast cancer cells. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass (although most breast lumps are not cancerous).Mammograms are an important tool for detecting breast cancer, but they don't detect all types of breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer refers to breast cancer that spreads from the original site to other areas of the breast, lymph nodes, or any other part of the body. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) rarely causes breast lumps and may not show up on a mammogram. Angiosarcoma can cause changes in the skin of the breast, such as the appearance of purple lumps that look like a bruise.
It's important to be aware of any changes in your breasts and to get regular screenings for breast cancer. Knowing what to look for is not a substitute for regular screening, so it's also important to know what your breasts normally look and feel like. If you're concerned about any new changes in your breasts, ask your doctor to review your symptoms and determine if a more thorough evaluation is needed.Masturbation is also an important way to explore how your body has changed and responds to touch, and to feel physical pleasure and orgasm. Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers emotional, practical and evidence-based content on demand to provide reliable information and a supportive community to people affected by the disease.
