What Are Breast Cancer Signs During Lactation? ~ Breast Cancer

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces the lifetime risk of breast cancer. The development of breast cancer during lactation is very rare. When it does occur, diagnosis can be challenging because common warning signs of breast cancer include changes in breast size and shape---changes that also happen in normal, healthy breasts during lactation. A breastfeeding woman should follow regular breast cancer-screening recommendations for her age and recognize signs that warrant a consultation with her doctor.

Lumps are often the first sign of breast cancer, but healthy breasts can feel lumpy during lactation. Most lumps in lactating breasts are caused simply by the breast being full or by plugged ducts or mastitis. These lumps disappear after feeding the baby or resolve within a few days of treatment for plugged ducts or mastitis. A breast lump should be examined by a doctor if it does not move or change over the course of time or after treatment for mastitis.

Puckering or dimpling in the skin of the breast should be examined by a doctor, especially when the puckering is over a lump that does not move or change.

It is common for milk to leak between feedings, especially in the early weeks, so milky discharge is not a cause for concern. Clear discharge from the nipple that is different in appearance from milk should be reported to a doctor. Bloody nipple discharge should also be reported, although this can simply be a symptom of cracked nipples caused by the baby having a poor latch.

Breast redness is a sign of an uncommon form of breast cancer, but is more likely a symptom of mastitis. Redness is only cause for concern if it does not resolve after treating mastitis or if mastitis symptoms such as plugged ducts, fever and flu-like illness are not present.

Paget's disease of the nipple is a rare form of breast cancer that affects the nipple. Symptoms include redness, irritation and scaling or flaking of the skin on the nipple. In a breastfeeding woman, these are much more likely to be symptoms of a fungal or yeast infection of the nipple. A doctor can confirm the true cause of these symptoms and treat them appropriately.

Information, Awareness & Donations - National Breast Cancer
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for
How is breastfeeding related to breast cancer? : Cancer
www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/cancer-questions/...
Breastfeeding can protect you against developing breast cancer. We don't know exactly how breastfeeding is protective but we know that it definitely is.
The Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer - WebMD - Better ...
www.webmd.com Breast Cancer Guide
Learn the warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer from WebMD.
Breastcancer.org - Breast Cancer Information and Awareness
www.breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer.
Breast Cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Breast Cancer ...
health.nytimes.com Times Health Guide b
Free articles and multimedia from The NY Times, including information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, tests, and surgical procedures, as well as current news and ...
Check for Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer
www.healthcentral.com Breast Cancer
Tools to investigate the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.
Breast Cancer During Pregnancy - WebMD - Better information ...
www.webmd.com Breast Cancer Guide
Information on breast cancer and how it affects pregnancy. ... WebMD Symptom Checker. Health concern on your mind? See what your medical symptoms could
Breast cancer: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com - Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com Breast cancer Basics
May 22, 2013 Breast cancer Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment of breast cancer in women.
Breast Cancer Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Prevention, Detection ...
www.onhealth.com/breast_cancer/article.htm
Get the facts on breast cancer symptoms, signs, stages, types, research, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention information, and treatment options: mastectomy ...
Understanding Your Complete Blood Count During Breast Cancer
breastcancer.about.com/od/lifeduringtreatment/ss/cbc_understand.htm
Mar 09, 2012 Chemotherapy can lower your blood counts. A complete blood count (CBC), is a routine blood test done regularly during treatment for breast cancer. A
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms, Treatment, Signs,
www.medicinenet.com/inflammatory_breast_cancer/article.htm
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms include pain or bruise in the breast, skin changes in the breast area, sudden swelling of the breast or itching of the breast.
Stages of Breast Cancer
www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging
Stage is usually expressed as a number on a scale of 0 through IV with stage 0 describing non-invasive cancers that remain within their original location and ...
Breast cancer: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000913.htm
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer: Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move ...
Susan G. Komen Understanding Breast Cancer
ww5.komen.org/understandingbreastcancerguide.html
The Understanding Breast Cancer Guide provides an overview of the entire Understanding Breast Cancer section to give you quick access to areas of particular ...
Breast cancer University of Maryland Medical Center
umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/breast-cancer
Breast cancer Description. An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer. Alternative Names. Mammograms; Mastectomy
Breast Cancer Topic: Breast Cancer Symptoms - a
community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topic/784673
Breast Cancer Discussion Forums - Access the shared knowledge of thousands of people affected by breast cancer
American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR): Learn About Breast ...
www.aicr.org/learn-more-about-cancer/breast
Age: The older you are, the greater your risk for breast cancer. Alcohol: Drinking alcohol in any form raises breast cancer risk. Weight: Carrying excess body ...
Breast Cancer Action
bcaction.org
Human Gene Patents Overturned! Today, the Supreme Court ruled in our favor to strike down Myriad Genetics patents on the human breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and ...
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool
An interactive tool designed by scientists at the National Cancer Institute and the NSABP to estimate a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
Information about breast cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, clinical trials, research and statistics from the National Cancer Institute.
5 Surprising Signs of Breast Cancer - Breast Cancer - MSN
healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/breast-cancer/5-surprising-signs-of...
Most women know to check for breast lumps that may signal cancer. But other signs may be even earlier clues to breast cancer. Know what to look for.
Breast Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survival
breastcancer.about.com
Welcome to breast cancer information! Here is information for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, family members or supportive friends. Learn how to lower your ...
Breast cancer-Risks-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Staging-Prevention ...
www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/breast-cancer.htmRating: 4/5 97 reviews
Breast cancer is one of the oldest cancers known to man. It is the second most popular cancer after lung cancer and is the most common cancer amongst women.