Early Cancer Detection Saves Lives!
Current research has determined that the key to breast cancer survival rests upon its earliest possible detection. If it’s discovered in its earliest stages, 95% cure rates are possible.
A breast self-examination involves checking the breasts to help detect breast problems or changes. Many breast problems are first discovered by women themselves, often by accident. A breast self-examination involves checking the breasts for lumps or changes while standing and lying in different positions and while looking at the breasts in a mirror to note any changes in their appearance. Once a woman knows what her breasts normally look and feel like, any new lump or change in appearance should be evaluated by a doctor. Breast lumps can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
In its early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. As a tumor develops, you may note the following signs:
• A lump in the breast or underarm that persists after the menstrual cycle. This is often the first apparent symptom of breast cancer. Lumps associated with breast cancer are usually painless, although some may cause a noticeable sensation. Lumps are usually visible on a diagnostic medical ultrasound long before they can be visually seen or felt.
• Swelling in the armpit.
• Redness, pain or tenderness in the breast. Although lumps are usually painless, pain or tenderness can be a sign of breast cancer.
• A noticeable flattening or indentation on the breast, which may indicate a tumor that cannot be seen or felt.
• Any change in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of the breast. A reddish, pitted surface like the skin of an orange could be a sign of advanced breast cancer.
• A change in the nipple, such as a nipple retraction, dimpling, itching, a burning sensation, or ulceration.
• Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody or another color. It’s usually caused by benign conditions but could be due to cancer in some cases.
• A marble-like area under the skin.
• An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
If you think you have any signs or symptoms that might mean breast cancer, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, any other health problems, and possible risk factors for benign breast conditions or breast cancer.
Your breasts will be thoroughly examined for any lumps or suspicious areas and tested for the feel of their texture, size, and relationship to the skin and chest muscles. Any changes in the nipples or clavicles may be palpated, because enlargement or firmness of these lymph nodes might indicate the spread of breast cancer. Your doctor will also do a complete physical exam to evaluate your general health and whether there is any evidence of cancer that may have spread.
If breast symptoms and/or the results of your physical exam suggest breast cancer might be present, more tests will probably be done. These might include different imaging tests. The safest, painless, non-invasive, affordable breast screening tests are a combination of a Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound and Thermography, which may give us about 95% accuracy in detecting breast cancer.
Breast Thermography is a physiological, non-invasive screening procedure that detects and records infrared heat emissions from the breast, which can aid in the early detection of abnormal changes in breast tissue. Breast Thermography offers women information that no other procedure can provide. The procedure is based on the principle that chemical and blood vessel activity in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is almost always higher than in the normal breast.
Since pre-cancerous and cancerous masses are highly metabolic tissues, they need an abundant supply of nutrients to maintain their growth. The cells release substances that stimulate the formation of new blood vessels…
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