How do you know if you have breast cancer?
I found tiny lumps in my left breast. I also have the sores on my nipple. Plus to top it all off breast cancer runs in both sides of my family. I’m scared to death!! Please tell me the signs of breast cancer.
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You don’t know unless your doctor is concerned by your symptoms and refers you for tests.
You don’t say how old you are; remember that most people diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50 and it’s rare in women under 40.
Also, hereditary breast cancer is rae – only 5 – 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary – unless you’re sure because of genetic testing that it runs in your family, it may well not.
If you’re concerned, you need to see your doctor – you’re not going to stop worrying if you don’t.
You asked for the signs of breast cancer; early breast cancer often has no symptoms; possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer are:
change in size – one breast may have become noticeably larger or lower
nipple change – if it becomes inverted (pulled in) or changes its position or shape
rash – on or around the nipple
discharge – from one or both nipples
puckering or dimpling – around nipple
swelling – in your armpit or around your collarbone (from lymph nodes)
lump or thickening – that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue – but remember that most breast lumps are not cancerous
constant pain – in one part of your breast or in your armpit.
Good luck.
the tiny lumps are 99% a BENIGN type ( mostly fibroadenoma) which is HARMLESS & you just have to remove it by surgery. so, Don’t worry at all my dear.
so, go to your doctor & give your mind a rest.
You don’t know if you do until you go to a doctor – he or she will determine if you have cause to worry. The only way to know is to have an examination and some tests. So go, just to put your mind at ease.
I will inspect them for you and let you know if you have breast cancer.
You go to the doctor and get a mammogram.
breast cancer is diagnosed by biopsy of the breast tissue lump. first there will be some type of mammogram/ultrasound, then if the lump looks suspicious it will be biopsied. It is not diagnosed by feel or visual inspection unless it is very far advanced
If breast cancer runs in your family, are you having a mammogram every year? It runs in my family, too – 5 generations of women have died, all before age 60 and all within a year of diagnosis. I didn’t know that until I was in my early 30s but as soon as I told my doctor, she went to bat for me with my insurance company and I’ve had a yearly mammogram ever since.
Have you recently gained OR lost any weight? Sometimes weight loss or gain can make our breasts feel lumpy until our body has time to smooth out those places where the excess weight came from or went to. A mammogram or an ultrasound would most likely show if this is the case.
You also have lymph nodes under your arms and underneath your breast tissue and along your side. Sometimes when our body is fighting an infection these nodes become inflamed and we feel them during our self-exam. Your doctor and the mammogram/ultrasound are the best ways to figure out if this is it.
Sores on your nipple aren’t necessarily related to the tumor type of breast cancer that most of us think of when we see those words. There is another, much rarer type of breast cancer that causes odd changes in the skin of your nipples. If the sores concern you, have your doctor check. The peace of mind is worth the office visit.
Good luck to you. We’ll all be hoping that your tiny lumps and sores are harmless.