One of the most severe diseases that most of women worldwide fear is breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths after lung cancer. This is because it often shows no clear symptoms in its early stages, with only a palpable lump. As a result, many people neglect its existence until it progresses to an advanced stage. Caring for breast cancer screening is crucial, especially recognizing the early symptoms of breast cancer. The earlier it’s detected, the more effectively the disease’s severity and the risk of death can be reduced.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the breast tissue of both women and men, though it’s more common in women. It occurs when cells in the breast undergo changes in collagen within the breast tissue and proliferate abnormally, often forming a mass. The symptoms of breast cancer can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of the tumor.
Warning Signs and Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer can differ from person to person and depend on the stage of the disease.
- Palpable lump in the breast or armpit.
- Nipple changes, such as an inverted nipple, discharge (lymphatic fluid or blood), or chronic sores.
- Skin changes on the breast, such as thickening, firm patches, bumpy texture, red rash, or an “orange peel” appearance.
- Unexplained discharge (lymphatic fluid or blood) from the nipple, not caused by clothing irritation or nipple cleansing.
- Breast deformity or a noticeable change in the shape of one breast.
- Unusual breast pain that is more severe than normal.
- Dimpling or wrinkling on the breast, or a newly inverted nipple.
- Abnormal discharge of blood or other fluids from the nipple.
- Persistent sores on the nipple that do not heal.
Stages of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is categorized into different stages based on the extent of cancer cell invasion and tumor spread within the breast. The stages of breast cancer are as follows:
Stage 0: At this stage, breast cancer has not spread to other tissues and has not grown into the milk ducts or lobules. This is sometimes referred to as “high-risk.” Breast cancer at this stage is often found incidentally through breast cancer screenings.
Stage 1: At this stage, breast cancer begins to grow and spread to nearby tissues. It typically has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage 2: The tumor size is between 2-5 centimeters and has started to spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit, but not yet to other organs. At this stage, breast cancer begins to increase in size and may spread to nearby lymph nodes, or even to the chest wall.
Stage 3: At this stage, breast cancer has grown larger and spread to more distant lymph nodes.
Stage 4: This is the stage where breast cancer has spread to other organs in the body, such as bones, the opposite breast, bloodstream, or other internal organs.
Early detection of breast cancer, before a lump forms, can lead to a cure.
If detected at Stage 0, when there is no palpable lump, the cure rate is 100%. However, if a lump less than 1 centimeter is found, the cure rate decreases to 98%. If it progresses to Stage 1, with a tumor size of 1-2 centimeters, the chance of recovery drops to only 80%. This is because the larger the tumor, the higher the chance of cancer cells spreading to other organs. Therefore, the earlier it’s detected, the higher the chance of recovery.
Methods for Breast Cancer Screening
Two factors contribute to a high chance of successful treatment for breast cancer patients: early detection and quality treatment. Since breast cancer involves an external organ, it can be felt by hand. However, this isn’t an initial symptom, as a lump needs to be at least 1 centimeter in size to be palpable.
Mammogram
This is a crucial and widely used method for breast health screening and is the best way to screen for breast cancer in general women. Mammography is a specialized radiological imaging technology similar to an X-ray machine. It is highly effective in detecting breast abnormalities in the early stages, taking about 5-10 minutes. The machine compresses the breast for about 5 seconds to stretch the breast tissue. Because the images obtained are highly detailed, the diagnosis is accurate. It might cause some discomfort depending on individual breast size. Due to the very low amount of radiation used and the fact that screenings are typically done only once every 1-2 years, it poses no harm to the body.
Breast Ultrasound
This method uses high-frequency sound waves directed into the breast tissue. When the sound waves encounter different tissues, they reflect back to the scanner, which detects differences between normal tissue and breast lumps. It can also differentiate whether a lump contains fluid or solid tissue, to initially identify the nature of any detected abnormalities.
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
Most patients present with a palpable lump in the breast, and often, patients discover or feel it themselves. Regular breast self-examination allows you to learn what your normal breasts feel like and to notice any abnormalities that may arise. This enables doctors to treat the condition in its early stages, leading to excellent treatment outcomes.
Here are common self-examination techniques:
Circular pattern:
Start at the top of the breast and move in a circular motion towards the base of the breast, including the armpit area.
Wedge pattern:
Begin at the top of the breast, move down to the base, then back up to the top, repeating this process until the entire breast is covered.
Up and down pattern (vertical strips):
Start from the bottom of the breast up to the collarbone, then move your three middle fingers and examine in alternating up and down motions until the entire breast is covered.
Breast cancer in women should not be overlooked, as it may not show symptoms in its early stages, leading many to discover it too late. Therefore, it’s essential to constantly monitor your own symptoms, especially if you are at risk. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance of reducing the severity of the disease and the risk of death.
Breast Cancer Screening Packages at BNH Hospital include the following tests:
Breast Ultrasound Program: For individuals under 40 years old.
Digital Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound Program: For individuals aged 40 years and above.
Price: 3,000-5,500 Thai Baht. Click below.
แพ็กเกจตรวจมะเร็งเต้านม โรงพยาบาลบีเอ็นเอช BNH Hospital
