Friday, 8 January 2010

Bramania 4 Breast Cancer

This is a really serious subject.  A friend of mine died when she ws only 32 from breast cancer,  one of my other friends who was a community nurse at the time helped in her final days nursing her at home.  When she died she left a husband and 2 young boys.  Granted, there was a history of cancer in the family but  that doesn't make it any easier.

Breast cancer can srike anyone, yes even men from time to time. 

The purpose of this blog is to help to make women more aware of breas cancer and to remind you all to get help IMMEDIATELY for any of the known symptoms.  It's not one that easily hides so take responsibility for yourself and keep abreast (as it were) of self checks, do this regularly.  Attend screening programmes.  I know it's inconvenient, it's not the most comfortable thing and above all it is embarrasing and you might not get a good result.  On the other hand you might.  But you will get an even worse result if you neglect yourself.  So here it is again ....... the symptoms:-

Any lump in the breast or armpit:
This is one of the most common symptoms, of course, and easy to spot.  So get used to the feel of your breasts and check regularly for anything unusual going on.  This is nearly always attributed to cysts which are very common and easily dealt with, but don't chance it ... go to you GP and have it checked out.

Any unusual pain:
Again there can be other causes for this, such as, mastitis or an infected cyst.  Mastitis causes the breast tissue to become inflammed, this should always be checked  as there can be infection there. Whatever the cause get it checked out by your GP.

Breast that is warm to the touch:

A breast that always feel warm, sometimes hot to the touch is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer, a dangerous and rare type of the disease.

Flat or inverted nipple:
A nipple that is flat or inverted is also a symptom of breast cancer. This does not include having an inverted nipple since birth.

A breast that is often itchy:
If you have itchy breasts or nipples, talk to your doctor. These are both symptoms of breast cancer.

The skin around the breast is dimpled or looks like an orange peel:
Breast and surrounding skin can take on a dimpled appearance, looking like an orange peel. Many women are too embarassed to show a doctor, thinking it is cellulite or from being overweight. This is not the case.

Swollen or breast that does not change with menstrual cycle or size increase:
It's normal for a woman's breast to become swollen and tender during a normal menstrual cycle, but when it's constant, it need to be evaluated by a doctor. Women also need to be aware of a sudden breast size increase.

Breast that is red or blotchy:
A breast that is red or blotchy, even having a rash-like appearance should be evaluated by a doctor. It is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer that is often undected by a mammogram and self breast exam.