The World Health Organization indicates that in 157 out of 185 countries evaluated, breast cancer was the most common cancer among women; in 2022, 670,000 people died from this type of cancer.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease where breast cells become altered and multiply out of control, resulting in tumors. If left untreated, these tumors can spread to other parts of the body and prove fatal.
Although breast cancer predominantly affects women, breast cancer in men is also possible and is equally dangerous.
There are different types of breast cancer, which are classified based on the specific area where they develop.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
A person with breast cancer may experience various symptoms, though early stages often present no noticeable signs or discomfort.
- A mass or lump in the breast is one of the most common symptoms, typically feeling distinct from the surrounding breast tissue upon palpation.
- Changes in breast shape, skin texture, redness, dimpling, or flaking on either the nipple or the breast skin.
- Abnormal nipple discharge, which may or may not contain blood, alongside swelling of the breast.
- Breast or nipple pain, or a retracted (inverted) nipple.
- In more advanced cases, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or near the collarbone may occur.
While none of these symptoms confirm a breast cancer diagnosis, they are frequently associated with the condition, making prompt specialized medical evaluation essential.
Early detection is often the key factor distinguishing a favorable prognosis from a discouraging one. Depending on the stage at detection, breast cancer treatment will vary—ranging from curative therapies to treatments designed to prevent cancer progression or manage symptoms.
How to Know If I Have Breast Cancer
When considering how to know if you have breast cancer, there are key steps and preventive measures to keep in mind.
While breast cancer cannot be entirely prevented, adopting specific habits can support overall health and early detection:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and avoid substances known to harm your body.
- Know your body: Perform a self-examination between days 5 and 10 after the start of your menstrual period, or once a week if you are postmenopausal.
- Schedule regular checkups: Visit your primary care physician routinely and complete recommended laboratory and imaging tests, such as mammograms.
How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam Properly
- Examine your breasts monthly, ideally after your period.
- Stand in front of a mirror and observe your breasts from different angles to become familiar with their natural shape. Pay attention to changes in size or shape, as well as skin or nipple dimpling, rash, or texture changes. (This visual check offers insight into how breast cancer may appear, though it is not always visually perceptible.)
- Lie on your back and use the pads of your three middle fingers to gently yet firmly feel the entire breast area, including the armpits.
- Gently squeeze the nipples to check for any abnormal fluid or discharge.
At the Women’s Center of Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
