5 Early Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer Most Women Ignore

Breast cancer is on the top of the list of most common diseases worldwide. 1 out of 8 women and thousands of men in America are affected by this life-threatening condition.

The American Cancer Society claims that by the end of 2016 in America, there will be diagnosed 246 600 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women while breast cancer will be fatal for 40 450 women.

Breast cancer is the major cause of death among Hispanic women and the second most common cause of death among Asian and Caucasian women. This type of cancer occurs when there is uncontrollable grow of breast cells. After some time, they tend to form tumors which can be felt as a lump.

So, in order to protect yourself and save your life, it is of utmost importance to recognize the early warning signs of breast cancer. We have a list of 5 signs, most of which are rarely exposed in the media.

1. Persistent cough

A dry cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath can be a sign that cancer cells have spread to the lung. This condition is known as secondary breast cancer and happens in 60-70% of women who become terminally ill.

Most of the patients did not pay particular attention to these symptoms since they actually mimic common cold and flu. Cancer cells can irritate the lining around the lungs known as pleura, thus causing fluid buildup and difficulty breathing.

In some cases, there occur chest pain and hoarse throat. If you experience these symptoms and they last more than a few weeks, you should consult your doctor immediately!

2. A new mole/ Change in an existing mole

Even though moles are usually linked to a higher risk of skin cancer, they can be also related to breast cancer. According to a study which included 89 902 women at the age of 40-65 years, and noted their medical records during a period of 18 years, 5956 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Researchers discovered that the women with the highest number of moles had a 13% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who had no moles. So, if you notice a new mole or some change in an already existing mole, consult your doctor immediately!

3. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in breast cancer patients, but in some cases can be present before cancer is diagnosed. Fatigue from cancer can’t be reduced by rest or sleep. It is a severe type of fatigue related with high levels of distress.

The fatigue, related to cancer is usually followed by other symptoms including depression, sleep disturbance, and pain. According to the experts, this type of fatigue is caused by chemical imbalance in the body created by cancer.

4. Digestive problems

The main signs of breast cancer are constipation, tenderness, bladder incontinence, and abdominal bloating. They can cause hormonal changes that can have influence on the digestion and organ function.

In some cases, the patients have loss of bladder control when sneezing, coughing, or laughing while in other cases there is a sudden need to urinate. Cancer can harm your hormones and put stress on your body, thus upsetting the digestive system.

Loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, abdominal or pelvic pain, swelling in the abdominal area, and changes in bowel habits are signs that something is happening in your body. If you experience some of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor and do some tests.

5. Back pain

Upper back pain may be an early sign of breast cancer. But, this does not mean that every occasional bout of soreness or back pain means that something is happening in your body. Chronic back pain that does not relent with chiropractic, stretching or any other means, can indicate that breast cancer tumors are developing.

In some cases, when tumors are developing in breasts, they put pressure on the ribs and spine which leads to a new and persistent pain. Pay particular attention to the changes that occur in your upper back, spinal column, and even neck.

If you notice that the pain you are experiencing is marked by pressure from a possible internal growth and is unusually pronounces, you should visit your doctor immediately. Upset stomach, lymph nodes in the armpit, heartburn, difficulty eating and menstrual changes are some of the most common yet overlook signs of breast cancer. Make sure to check your breasts regularly for swelling, nipple discharge, hard knots, and lumps.

Don’t just look for a breast lump

Identifying lumps in the breast is the most common way that doctors use to look for breast cancer in women. Usually, this is done with mammogram x-rays. But, the fact that mammograms send ionizing radiation into breast tissue indicates that they can be a potential cause of cancer. And, most of the time they are not 100% accurate.

Lumps and masses in breast tissue can be malignant (the harmful ones) and benign (harmless). Mammograms can’t differ between these two which often results in false diagnoses and unnecessary treatments with radiation and chemotherapy.

If you decide to undergo routine cancer screenings, thermography is a better option. With this method, doctors are able not only to look for unusual growths of lumps but also to identify if angiogenesis is taking place in the breast tissue. This is a much accurate and stronger indicator when it comes to breast cancer.

Nutrient deficiency and breast cancer

If you do not intake enough nutrients including iodine and vitamin D, you are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Nearly 75% of the adults have an iodine deficiency, which is known to ward off cancer cells in the breast and other parts in the body.

Vitamin D is considered as another risk factor for developing breast cancer. The Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism published a study in 2012 which proved that women with breast cancer had low levels of vitamin D.

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