Breast cancer
It can occur in women and rarely in men. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.
It is the most diagnosed cancer globally. It accounts for 1 in 4 cancer cases among women and is the leading cause of death from cancer in women. It’s most likely to affect women over the age of 50.
Breast cancer cells usually form a tumour that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. If spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels, it becomes advanced breast cancer.
Like other cancers, it can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding your breast. It can also travel to other parts of your body and form new tumors. When this happens, it’s called metastasis.
Survival rates are very high when the cancer is detected early and where treatment is available.
Though rare, men can also develop breast cancer.
Symptoms can vary for each person. Possible signs of breast cancer include:
- A change in the size, shape or contour of your breast.
- A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.
- A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarm that persists through your menstrual cycle.
- A change in the look or feel of your skin on your breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed).
- Redness of your skin on your breast or nipple.
- An area that’s distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
- A marble-like hardened area under your skin.
- A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from your nipple.
