Women and men who experience early stages of breast cancer may put off getting an examination to determine the origin of the symptoms. Even if you have been screened recently for breast cancer, it is still critical that you report any symptoms to your doctor so he can recommend a treatment regiment as soon as possible.
Tumor
The tumor involved in Stage 1 of breast cancer traditionally measures no more than 2 centimeters in diameter. There may one or more tumors located. At this point in the development, the lymph nodes are not yet involved, which means that the cancer is not currently traveling to other parts of the body. The tumors can appear anywhere on the breast or around the underarm area on either side of the patient.
Nipple Sensitivity
Another symptom of Stage 1 breast cancer is that the nipple(s) are tender and sensitive to the touch. The changing in the nipple(s) can either cause pain, or they may cause discomfort with sensation like being pierced with small needles. The nipple(s) also may start to change shape and in the early stages of breast cancer. There may be a slight discoloration that is orange or red in appearance.
Discharge
Some of the symptoms of the early stages of breast cancer can be easier to identify than others, such asa discharge from the nipple. The discharge can vary in consistency and color. It could be a clear liquid with a red appearance because it contains blood, yellowish, or it may be a thicker pus discharge.
Pain Outside the Breast
As Stage 1 breast cancer begins to advance toward becoming Stage 2 breast cancer, some symptoms can be classified with either stage. The most notable of these symptoms is pain or discomfort in the arm that is on the same side as the affected breast. In the early phases, this pain is more of a achy discomfort than a shooting pain.
Transition to Stage 2
If the discomfort progresses into a shooting pain, the patient is moving toward Stage 2. Therefore, it is important to contact a doctor immediately, as the success rate for treating Stage 1 is noticeably higher than for Stage 2 and beyond.
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