What To Know About Advanced Breast Cancer Symptoms
What to know about advanced breast cancer symptoms
Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer has symptoms where the cancer cells have reached other parts of the body. This stage of cancer can occur if proper treatment was not given earlier. It can occur when the treatment for the earlier stages did not work despite the best attempts.
The cancer cells replicate themselves and affect the healthy cells too. The cancerous cells travel through the bloodstream. This gives them access to capillaries and then the tissues, which are then affected.
What are the advanced breast cancer symptoms?
There many signs and symptoms of Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer. The following are the most common symptoms:
- One may feel like there is a lump in one of their breasts. The lump may be felt near one’s armpit area as well. Generally, these can be small tumors that will eventually grow. A swelling may also appear either directly in one’s breast area or in the nearby areas.
- One may see that their skin is changing. These symptoms include itchiness around the breast. One’s skin may look very red and be painful when touched. People can get very dry skin all of a sudden. One may see that suddenly dimples appear everywhere on one’s breast.
- Even when one does not feel the tumor, one might feel a lot of pain in the breast area. Internal ulcers can form, which are quite painful. If one notices sores in the chest or nearby areas, it can be one of the early signs of breast cancer.
- One may experience nipple discharges of some sort of fluid. This fluid can be either clear or a little cream colored. In some cases, blood may ooze out of one’s nipple. Other times, one may see that the fluid is quite thick in nature and resembles pus discharge.
- One may feel very tired all the time. This means one won’t be able to perform daily tasks with ease. This can affect normal life a lot, as one might have difficulty doing simple things. One may feel tired just walking from one room to the other or just by cleaning the dishes.
Are there any other advanced breast cancer symptoms that one should look out for?
Yes, there are some more symptoms that one needs to watch out for along with the previous 5 signs of breast cancer:
- One will have trouble sleeping. If the person is someone who never used to wake up in the middle of the night, this is something to worry about. Insomnia is one of the most ignored symptoms. If one is experiencing sleep deprivation, one should become alert.
- One will lose weight. Even if eating normally, one may lose weight suddenly. Another reason for weight loss is a decline in appetite. One might not want to eat anything anymore. This can lead to loss of nutrition intake, which decreases weight.
- One can experience digestion issues. These can be developed over a course of time. One might not be able to eat properly. One will have trouble digesting light food. In this way, the digestive system can be affected, and one won’t be able to take in even healthy food.
- People might experience difficulty in breathing. One won’t be able to breathe deeply. If one does, they might have a dry cough. One might even get a chronic cough, which will make it hard to breathe. The chest might even feel heavy and tight.
What are the advanced breast cancer symptoms associated with the spread of breast cancer?
- One can experience some specific symptoms when the cancer is spreading through one’s body. The most common areas are the brain, bones, liver, and lungs. One can experience jaundice, pain in the skull, headaches, vision problems, and losing balance.
When should one ideally see a doctor?
- One can check out the various resources for advanced breast cancer symptoms to ensure that one sees their doctor at the right time.
- People can see their doctor when they feel like they have one or more symptom of breast cancer. One cannot take a risk with breast cancer, which is why the symptoms need to be taken seriously.
- Even if one thinks it is a slight problem, one should speak to the doctor and make an appointment immediately.