What are the symptoms of Breast cancer?

Breast cancer symptoms vary from person to person and there is no exact definition of what a lump or mass feels like. The best thing to do is to be familiar with your breasts so you know how “normal” feels and looks. If you notice any changes, you must visit the best breast cancer specialist in Bangalore for more information. Symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Lump or mass in the breast
• Lump or mass in the armpit
• Breast skin changes, including skin redness and thickening of the breast skin, resulting in an orange-peel texture
• Dimpling or puckering on the breast
• Discharge from the nipple
• Scaliness on the nipple, which sometimes extends to the areola
• Nipple changes, including the nipple turning inward, pulling to one side, or changing direction
• An ulcer on the breast or nipple, sometimes extending to the areola
• Swelling of the breast

Fig 3. Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is categorized into different stages depending on how far the cancer has spread. Dr. Uday Ravi utilizes the widely recognized TNM staging system, which assesses the size and extent of the primary tumor (T), whether cancer has reached nearby lymph nodes (N), and if it has metastasized to other parts of the body (M).

• Stage 0 : Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
• Stage I : The tumor is small and remains confined to the breast without spreading to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
• Stage II : Divided into IIA and IIB:
  • Stage IIA : The tumor is small but has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
  • Stage IIB : The tumor is larger, and it may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage III : Divided into IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC :
  • Stage IIIA : The tumor is larger and has spread to nearby lymph nodes, which may be clumped together
  • Stage IIIB : The tumor may have spread to the chest wall or skin, possibly causing swelling or ulcers in the breast.
  • Stage IIIC : The cancer has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone or to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest.
• Stage IV : Metastatic Breast Cancer

The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs.

The stage of breast cancer is crucial in determining treatment options and the overall prognosis. Dr. Uday Ravi says the importance of early detection and regular screening to identify breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

How Breast cancer is diagnosed?

Doctor will do physical examination of the breast to look for any skin changes over the breast/nipple or if there is any discharge. Doctor will palpate to look for any lump in the breast or in the axilla. Doctor will then advise few tests depending on the patients symptoms and physical examination findings.

Imaging tests : This procedure will use these to learn more about your breast.

• Ultrasound of both breasts

• Mammogram

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Biopsy

• PET CT

Treatment for Breast Cancer in Bangalore

Dr. Uday Ravi decides the treatment option for breast cancer depending upon the cancer type and extent of spread of cancer to different organs of the body. Treatments for breast cancer include

• Surgery such as - A mastectomy, which removes the whole breast

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Hormone therapy: which blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow

• Targeted therapy: which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells

• Immunotherapy

Fig 4. Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Breast Cancer?

You can help lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health in the following ways:

• Keep a healthy weight.

• Exercise regularly.

• Don’t Smoke

• Avoid Birth Control Pills

• Don’t drink alcohol, or limit alcoholic drinks.

• Breastfeed your children, if possible.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to Dr. Uday Ravi about other ways to lower your risk.