How can you tell if you have breast cancer?(serious replies only)?

Question

I've had small bumps around my nipples ever since i've had boobs,but i just noticed that i seem to have gotten more.Is this normal and could it be cancerous?????I know most people say to check for lumps,and its not really a lump(more like a bump)just wondering if it's serious or normal? Does anyone else get these?
If anyone knows any websites that have pictures of this stuff i'd appreciate it.

Okay i asked for advice i already know i'll have to eventually go see a doctor if you people can't actually be helpful and give real information on here then don't answer my question okay.

Answer 1

Okay, I'm thinking that people are misinterpreting your question.

When you say "around your nipples," do you mean that the bumps are still within the colored part (areola)? If so, that's normal... those are supposed to be there.

Sometimes they become more pronounced (noticable) than at other times. Sometimes you'll barely be able to see them at all, and other times they'll be really obvious... especially when the nipple becomes cold or aroused.

Has this happened on BOTH breasts? Do the bumps appear to somewhat match the ones that you've always noticed? Do they all line up in a circle around your nipple? These are all good things... cancer is almost NEVER symmetrical.

Yes, it is hard to judge without seeing them, but there's a really good picture of a normal nipple on Wikipedia that might help you judge. (It's the second picture down, not the cow one!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipple
(To forewarn, this is an actual photograph, so if anyone might be offended by this, DON'T CLICK IT. I'm posting this for informative purposes only.)

Anyway, I don't think you have anything to worry about... nipples are funny things; they really are! You don't say how old you are, but if you're still developing (teens, or even early twenties), you can expect some change in the way your body looks.

The only cause I would have for concern is if you're having any sort of nipple discharge (especially bloody), that could be an indication of cancer or another infection.

Do you get a yearly examination? If you've got one coming up, just ask the doctor at that time if it's something you're worried about. If what you're experiencing meets the characteristics I've described (the positive characteristics), I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I know you're just looking for reassurance now, and I hope I've helped. It sucks wondering about this sort of thing.

Answer 2

I think I know what you are talking about. I have them too. They almost look like little pimples, but they really aren't and they don't hurt. They are actually milk ducts.They are located in the areola. I've had them as long as I can remember. Sometimes they are bigger than usual. It is good that you are looking at your breasts. You will be the first person to notice a change. Signs of breast cancer generally include a lump in your breast, dimpling of the skin, a rash that doesn't go away, or skin that appears to look like an orange peel. I would talk with your doctor next time and perhaps he/she can reassure you. If there is anything suspicious, you should get a mammogram. If something shows up on this, they you will get a biopsy which is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

Here is a website that reviews breast anatomy - doesn't have the best picture, but it may help.
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/breast_anatomy.asp#breast_composition

Answer 3

There is no way to determine if your bumps aren't in fact small lumps under the skin with out seeing a Dr. I think I know what you are talking about....its on the edge of your aureole and they are just small raised spots like where little hairs grow....if so... I do believe it's normal. But if it is deeper and you have to push into the skin to feel it then that's when I would definitely see a Dr. If its not then ask your Dr next time you see him for something else. In your question you don't tell how old you are or any family history and that can make a difference. Lumps, bumps are nothing to play around with these days. If something could be serious and easy to detect by a Dr. there is no reason to take a chance. I know because I have had 2 mastectomy's. Don't be so short with people. To get the perfect answer you do need to see your DR !!!

Answer 4

Run don't walk to the doctor. I waited to long over a year. You tell your self its not cancer so you put it off and put it off. Mine turned out to be 3 and the largest one 7 1/2 inch cancer end to end. When all was said and done I had stage t3b and my cancer spread to the lymph nodes 4 out of the 11 they took, the doctor gave me a 50% chance to make it. i don't like the odds so please run to that doctor asap! The best advice i can give you or any female is to know your breast test them often, you will know when something changes. All breast change at that time of the month but if you test and know your breast you will know what is different and what is normal for you. The truth is only a Biopsy
to know for sure.

Common symptoms of breast cancer include:

A change in how the breast or nipple feels
A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
Nipple tenderness
A change in how the breast or nipple looks
A change in the size or shape of the breast
A nipple turned inward into the breast
The skin of the breast, areola, or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. It may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange.
Nipple discharge (fluid)
Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. Still, a woman should see her health care provider about breast pain or any other symptom that does not go away. Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems may also cause them. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Your doctor may refer you to a surgeon or breast disease specialist for a biopsy. Fluid or tissue is removed from your breast to help find out if there is cancer.

Some suspicious areas can be seen on a mammogram but cannot be felt during a clinical breast exam. Doctors can use imaging procedures to help see the area and remove tissue. Such procedures include ultrasound-guided, needle-localized, or stereotactic biopsy.

Doctors can remove tissue from the breast in different ways:

Fine-needle aspiration: Your doctor uses a thin needle to remove fluid from a breast lump. If the fluid appears to contain cells, a pathologist at a lab checks them for cancer with a microscope. If the fluid is clear, it may not need to be checked by a lab.
Core biopsy: Your doctor uses a thick needle to remove breast tissue. A pathologist checks for cancer cells. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.
Surgical biopsy: Your surgeon removes a sample of tissue. A pathologist checks the tissue for cancer cells.
An incisional biopsy takes a sample of a lump or abnormal area.
An excisional biopsy takes the entire lump or area.
If cancer cells are found, the pathologist can tell what kind of cancer it is. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the ducts. Lobular carcinoma is another type. Abnormal cells are found in the lobules.

You may want to ask your doctor the following questions before having a biopsy:

What kind of biopsy will I have? Why?
How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt? Will I have anesthesia? What kind?
Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the biopsy?
How soon will I know the results?
If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about the next steps? When?

Answer 5

Breast cancer is a cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females, affecting, at some time in their lives, approximately one out of nine to thirteen women who reach age ninety in the Western world. It is the second most fatal cancer in women (after lung cancer).

Symptoms

Early breast cancer causes no symptoms and is not painful. Usually breast cancer is discovered before any symptoms are present, either on mammography or by feeling a breast lump. A lump under the arm or above the collarbone that does not go away may be present. Other possible symptoms include breast discharge, nipple inversion and changes in the skin overlying the breast.

Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Screening methods suggested include breast self-examination and mammography. Mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer-related mortality by 20-30%. Routine (annual) mammography of women older than 50 is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer and has demonstrated a protective effect in multiple clinical trials.

Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.Mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer, and breast cancers detected by mammography are usually smaller than those detected clinically.

You have said you are going to a doctor. Please select a good Oncologist. Wish you all the best.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

You can see images on Yahoo,google etc. Every week in the shower you should (rubbing upwards) check your breast. The cases I know of have included actual lumps and not on the nipple area. No doubt you need to go have this checked. To late can make for life or death situation. You can call the American Cancer Society and tralk with them, they will help you or if you do not have health insurance go to the health departmant. Noone can turn you away legally. But PLEASE have it checked and good luck!!!

Answer 8

No matter how angry you get at the people here : You CAN"T see, or feel cancer. The only way to know is to do a Biopsy on the bump, lump or whatever you have. Thats a FACT

Answer 9

No, I can't tell you if you do have breast cancer or not, I am not an oncologist or a specialist concerinin womens breats....consult a doctor and get a mammogram right away....
Always get a yearly mammogram.
The fight against breast cancer, stops with an annual checkup

Answer 10

Go see a Doctor Now . Do not ask us