Breast Cancer Awareness: The Importance of Getting Yourself Checked

 

Beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month, doctors stress the importance of scheduling regular cancer screenings. Experienced practitioners at the Skin Wellness Physicians dermatology practice in Naples, who treat skin cancers and a wide range of other dermatological conditions, explain that some visible signs of breast cancer can sometimes be seen on the skin on or around the breasts. A rare form of cancer that is often linked to breast cancer, called Paget’s disease of the breast, appears on the nipple and areola area, but can spread to skin on other parts of the breasts. You can talk to a dermatologist in Naples, Florida, to find out more about common skin changes associated with breast cancer and your options for screening and treatment. Although many elective medical procedures were delayed when the COVID-19 pandemic started, it’s critical to resume regular cancer screenings and to contact your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms.

Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer that occurs in American women. This is a disease characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal growth of some of the cells of the breasts, leading to the formation of cancerous lumps or bumps. In its more advanced stages, the disease can be fatal. Though both men and women can develop this type of cancer, it is more commonly experienced by women. Being over the age of 50, having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, not being physically active, and being overweight or obese are some of the risk factors for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, and screenings can save lives. If breast cancer is detected and treated in its earliest stages—when it is small, still confined to the breasts, and hasn’t spread to other parts of the body—a patient’s chances of surviving it are significantly increased. Early detection also means you may not need to go through the distressing process of having a more invasive treatment such as a mastectomy (surgery to remove one or both of the breasts) or chemotherapy, and it may cut down on your recovery time.

A larger number of treatment options will be available to patients whose cancer is detected early, and their overall quality of life is likely to be better. Having routine screenings is the best way of identifying cancer, and it can be detected even before you start to experience symptoms. This is why doctors emphasize that it’s a good idea to take an active role in the process by making yourself aware of the risks and symptoms associated with the disease and asking your physician about screenings.

Though people sometimes experience no obvious symptoms, patients who have breast cancer often feel painless lumps in the breast area, notice changes in the size or shape of their breasts, or experience armpit swelling, dimpling, breast pain, skin texture changes, redness, and nipple retraction or inversion.

Patients may be unsure of the cause of a breast rash, as other, non-cancerous causes such as contact dermatitis can look and feel very similar to some forms of breast cancer. Paget’s disease of the breast is associated with eczema-like symptoms, including redness and irritation on the nipples, scaling and flaking of the skin, sensitivity, burning, and oozing.

Patients may undergo a variety of tests to have their breasts checked for cancer, but mammograms, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), breast ultrasound, and clinical breast exams are typically the most effective diagnostic tools. The American Cancer Society recommends having yearly mammograms starting from age 40.

Additionally, it’s helpful to be aware of the normal look and feel of your breasts and do regular self-exams, preferably at least once a month, to check for changes. To diagnose Paget’s disease of the breast, your doctor may perform a physical exam, a biopsy on a sample of the tissue from the nipple, and other breast cancer screening tests.

Explore options for cosmetic and medical dermatology services and talk to an experienced dermatologist in Naples at Skin Wellness Physicians. To schedule a consultation, call (239) 732-0044 or submit a form to send information online.