breast cancer: symptoms

Re: Breast Cancer, Symptoms
Fr: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/3244315.stm

Symptoms

The most common way that a potential problem is detected is when physical changes are noticed in the breasts.

Regular breast screening may also highlight changes in the breast.

The key is for the woman to know what "normal" is - then changes can be noticed.

Examples of the kind of things to look out for include:

• a change in outline, shape or size of the breast
• puckering or dimpling of the skin
• any lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
• any flaking skin or discharge from the nipple
• unusual pain or discomfort

Any changes should be reported to a doctor - although most will turn out not to be cancerous.

Many lumps will be picked up with mammograms - x-rays of the breast taken every few years as part of the NHS national screening programme.

If a lump is found, techniques used to investigate it include ultrasound and "fine needle aspiration", which will show whether the area is a solid lump or is a cyst.

A biopsy may also be carried out, so that a sample of the lump can be examined in a laboratory.