What are the Symptoms of 1st Stage of Breast Cancer?

First Stage of Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Types

Breast cancer is one of the deadliest cancers that has affected more than 2.2 million women worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer varies across countries and regions, with some countries experiencing higher rates than others.

It typically affects women around 50, but sometimes it can affect younger women. Oncologists may provide different treatment methods or surgeries to kill cancerous cells.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer cells originate inside the breast's milk-producing lobules or milk ducts. The early stage (benign) is not life-threatening and can be detected easily.

When these cells spread into nearby tissues, they cause lumps or tumours. Almost 80% of breast cancers are invasive, which means these tumours may spread from the breasts to other regions.

What are the Major Symptoms of 1st Stage of Breast Cancer?

In early stages, like Stage 1, symptoms of breast cancer are usually subtle or absent. This makes early detection important to start treatment as soon as possible.

Common symptoms include:

Changes in Breast Size and Appearance

A noticeable change is seen in the shapes, size, and overall appearance of breasts. One breast may suddenly appear larger or smaller than the other. In certain cases, dimpling or redness can be seen around the contour of the breast.

Lump or Thickening

New lumps form and thicken in the armpits or breasts, which are persistent throughout the menstrual cycle. These lumps are usually hard, painless and irregular but can also be round, soft, or tender. Lumps in stage 1 are generally 2- 3 centimetres in size.  

Pain

In most cases, breast cancer is painless, whereas sometimes, patients may experience unexplained pain or tenderness around the breasts or nipple area. Regular checkups or mammograms can be done to detect the cause of the pain around the lump.   

Swelling

Swelling in the regions of the breast or underarm, even without any visible lump, is a common symptom of stage 1 breast cancer. It can also be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, which is very rare and an aggressive form of this disease.   

Nipple Changes

Signs like an inverted nipple, flattened nipple, or clear or bloody discharge from the breast can sometimes be seen in the early stage of this cancer. Frequent discharge from the nipple can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer.    

Skin Changes

In the early stages of breast cancer, many patients observe puckering, thickening or dimpling of the breast skin. Additionally, there are certain redness or rash-like appearances that can be seen around the contour of the breast.

It is important to understand that not all lumps are cancerous or may not lead to cancer. Many factors contribute to lump formation around the breasts, which can be prevented if detected as early as possible.

What are the Types of Breast Cancer?

Healthcare professionals decide the types of breast cancer so that they can tailor treatment to be as effective as possible. Prior understanding of the types can help induce treatment with minimal or no side effects.

These are the common types of Stage 1 Breast Cancer:

1  Lobular Breast Cancer

• This type usually starts in the lobules or milk-producing glands of the breast and spreads to the nearby tissues. It is one of the most common cancer types worldwide.

2  Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DICS)

• DICS starts in the milk ducts or adipose tissues of the breast, resulting in a lump or thickening. However, the most significant feature of this cancer is that it does not spread beyond the milk ducts. This is the most common type of cancer in tropical or subtropical regions of the world.

3  Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)  

• The cancer originates in the milk ducts and spreads rapidly to nearby tissues, causing thickening and swelling. It can easily travel down to stage 4 if left untreated for a longer time. Common symptoms include pain around the breast and armpit regions.

Oncologists usually understand the physiologies of these types before doing proper diagnosis and treatment processes.