Thursday 15 January 2009

33. Breast cancer symptoms - what do they actually look like?


This is so stupid. I can't quite believe this dawned on me today and that it is probably partly denial that I haven't really looked into it until now. Those who have experienced breast cancer first hand will know what breast cancer actually looks or feels like, some may not. Finding a breast lump is every woman's nightmare but what does a lump actually look or feel like? I found a lump (more like a hardened area under the skin) at 27 but it was inside my breast tissue to the side (armpit side). Thankfully it was nothing and hopefully it will stay that way but today's thought has led me to delve into the wonderful Internet to find out some information about real visual images of breast cancer symptoms.

Why am I talking about this when I am so close to getting rid of my own 'original' boobs? Well, probably for you, maybe all this might save just one person and that's worth the effort. I stumbled upon one particular image that shocked the living crap out of me. I think the photo I found was of a woman living in a third world country where breast awareness and screening are probably at a minimum. Women lucky enough to be in a wealthy country (erm..might have to revise that bit considering the global economy right now!) have breast screening available to them and doctors who are in the know.

From here on I do not wish to offend or distress anyone in my post today but this is more of an 'ugly truth exposure blog entry' and in doing so I admit my own ignorance of how bad breast cancer can actually get and what symptoms actually look like for real - not the pretty leaflet pictures you get telling you to look for this or that.

Q. Did you know that the majority of breast lumps found (approx 80% of them) are from non-cancerous causes? This is great news but something most of us are not aware of.

Q. Did you know that men can get breast cancer? Male breast cancer

Q. How many types of breast cancer do you know about?

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)

Rare cases of breast cancer are:

Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Medullary Carcinoma
Metaplastic Carcinoma
Mucinous Carcinoma
Paget's Disease
Papillary Carcinoma
Phyllodes Tumours
Tubular Carcinoma

Q. Do you know what you are looking for when you are checking for breast abnormalities such as; 'puckering' 'orange peel' 'inverted nipple' 'breast lump' 'nipple discharge' 'indentation' 'retraction of the nipple'?

WARNING - the following link will show you images what breast cancer symptoms can look like.. hang on a minute..

just one more WARNING!! before you click on the link..

At the bottom of the linked page there is a further link to 'Advanced Stages' which show very explicit images of advanced breast cancer so please read warning before clicking.

Real photos of Breast Cancer symptoms

So get breast aware and check regularly, monthly, straight after your period. Get to know them and get breast familiar.

2 comments:

Lisa Roy said...

This is a great idea. The 1st set of photos were scary enough, let alone the others! We're so lucky to live somewhere that we get help for free!

Susanne said...

Leigh-ann,

I am so glad I removed my breasts all those years ago and even more glad when I see these photos :( But how can it go so far before something is done???
I must admit that I was not able to watch all of the photos in the advanced part. Maybe I will return and watch them later when I feel ready. Thanks for the warning.

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