Stage 1 breast cancer generally does not cause symptoms, so it is difficult to detect. However, this stage of breast cancer can be recognized from several characteristics. By recognizing the characteristics of stage 1 breast cancer, treatment can be done early and the chances of cure will be greater.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women due to cancer. This type of cancer occurs when cells in the breast tissue grow and develop uncontrollably until they spread to the surrounding breast tissue.
So far, the exact cause of breast cancer is not known. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer, such as smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages, increasing age, obesity, radiation exposure, and menopause at an older age.
A woman also has a higher risk of developing breast cancer if she has had breast cancer before or there is a family history of breast cancer.
The characteristics of breast cancer that you need to know
Although it rarely causes symptoms, there are some characteristics of breast cancer that you need to recognize as an early detection effort. The sooner breast cancer is detected, the better your chances of a cure.
The following are the characteristics of stage 1 breast cancer:
1. The appearance of a lump in the breast
A lump in the breast is one of the early signs of stage 1 breast cancer. These lumps are generally 2 cm or smaller in size and are not always painful. However, not all lumps that appear in the breast are cancerous.
2. Breast skin color changes
Not a few women think that discoloration of the breast skin is a common thing or is caused by infection. In fact, this color change you really need to watch out for as one of the characteristics of breast cancer.
At this stage, the skin of the breast will become red like irritation, the texture and color of the skin will wrinkle like an orange peel, and there will be thickening of the skin.
3. Nipples hurt
Stage 1 breast cancer is also characterized by the appearance of changes in the nipple accompanied by pain. Nipples also sometimes secrete abnormal fluid or even enter the breast.
4. A lump appears in the armpit
Although it is called breast cancer, it does not mean that the lump under the armpit that you encounter has nothing to do with this cancer. Breast tissue extends under the armpit, so cancer can spread through the lymph nodes under the armpit.
So, if you feel a lump in your armpit, you should be aware of these changes as a sign of stage 1 breast cancer.
To recognize the characteristics of stage 1 breast cancer above, try to do a breast self-examination or BSE on a regular basis at home. The best time to have this test is 7–10 days after your period ends.
You can do this examination by palpating the breasts to see if there are any changes in the physical shape of the breasts. If you feel any abnormality in your breasts, don't hesitate to immediately consult a doctor.
Early examination of breast cancer can be done by various methods, ranging from physical examination of the breast to supporting examinations, such as mammography, biopsy, breast ultrasound, and MRI.
Breast cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer. The sooner the disease is detected, the higher the treatment success rate. In order to reduce the risk of stage 1 breast cancer, you are also advised to live a healthy lifestyle.
If you belong to a high-risk group for breast cancer or suspect the characteristics of stage 1 breast cancer, immediately consult a doctor for examination related to breast cancer.