According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that about 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women by the end of 2016, and about 40,450 women will die of breast cancer. The harsh reality is that breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. In the United States, about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
Breast cancer awareness goes far beyond knowing the statistics. It’s about active prevention and being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, with the hope of catching it early if it develops.
The following five warning signs of breast cancer are the ones that many women tend to ignore, but recognizing them can be vital in saving your life.
1. A new mole / change in an existing mole
Although moles are more often associated with a higher risk of skin cancer, they can also be linked to breast cancer. In one study, researchers followed 89,902 women aged 40 to 65 and wrote down their medical records over an 18-year period. The number of moles each woman had was documented at the start of the study. During the study, 5,956 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers found that women who had the most moles in the group had a 13% higher risk of breast cancer than women who did not have moles. If you notice a new mole or any type of change to an existing mole, see a healthcare practitioner.
2. A cough or hoarse throat that will not subside
Cancer that starts in one area is called primary cancer. If some cancer cells break away from the primary cancer and travel to another part of the body, they can form another tumor, called a secondary cancer. Breast cancer can spread to the lungs and can be detected by a prolonged cough or hoarseness. Cancer spreads to the lungs in 60 to 70% of women with terminal breast cancer. The most common signs are shortness of breath and a dry cough.
3. Changes in the bladder or bowels
Breast cancer can cause hormonal changes that dry out the urethra and make it difficult to control the bladder. This is called incontinence, and common signs include leaking urine during activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising, a sudden and urgent need to urinate, and a sudden urge to urinate. urination that takes longer than usual. If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
4. fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom in breast cancer patients and survivors, but it is also often present before diagnosis. Cancer fatigue is not alleviated by sleep or rest. It is usually very serious and often associated with high levels of distress, unrelated to the amount of exertion. Cancer-related fatigue is often accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, trouble sleeping and depression. Researchers believed that this fatigue is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the body that cancer creates.
5. Unexplained back pain
Back pain is a common medical problem – so common that 8 out of 10 people will have it at some point in their lives. Back pain can also be a sign of the formation of cancerous breast tumors. Back pain associated with breast cancer can look like pressure on the ribs and spine, or pain in the upper back that appears to be coming from the bones. It could also be a sign that breast cancer has spread to the spine.
