Breast cancer is the second most common cause of deaths in India and on an average every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and every 13 minutes a woman dies of it. However, if detected early and taken appropriate steps and treatment, breast cancer can be cured completely. During breast cancer, a woman goes through a lot of pain and other problems that occur due to heavy medication. But what changes does the body of a woman go through because of breast cancer? How does this prevalent cancer affect a woman’s body?
According to WebMd, a woman’s body can go through several changes including tiredness, swelling around breasts, arms and stomach, joint pain, and changes in sex drive. To get a detailed idea of how breast cancer affects the body of a woman, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Nazia Dalwai, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, HCL Healthcare, Mumbai.
Changes In And Around Breasts
Talking about how breast cancer can affect your body, Dr Dalwai started with changes in and around breasts that occur due to breast cancer.
- Lump found in the breast or mass
- Feeling multiple lumps / increased breast density
- Swelling all or a part of breast
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Breast or nipple pain, retraction (turning inward)
- Nipple discharge – spontaneous bloody discharge
- A lump or swelling in the end or arms & lymph node Axillary lump
- Asymmetry of the breasts
- Nipple or breast appears red, scaly thickened
- Metastatic-spread beyond breast & regional Lymph Node
Talking further about the changes in the body due to breast cancer, Dr Dalwai said, “Breast cancer has four stages, 1-3 are confined to breast and regional lymph nodes. Stage four of breast cancer means cancer cells are metastasized or spread to other areas of the body. Common areas of metastases include lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver and brain.”
As per Dr Dalwai, depending upon the organ affected the cancer can produce, following changes.
Changes In Immune And Excretory Systems
“Kidney stone, kidney failure are some of the problems associated with hypercalcemia which refers to elevated levels of calcium in the blood. This occurs when the rate of resorption increases and calcium from the bones is released into the bloodstream,” Dr Dalwai said.
Nerve involvement can lead to neurogenic bladder and bowel causing difficulty in controlling bowel and bladder movement, the doctor added.
Changes In Skeletal System
- Bone pain
- Hypercalcemia
- Neuropathic pain
- Shooting Pain in armpit
- Lymphedema
The complications in bone health occur due to bone resorption, a normal process of breaking down bone. “In healthy young people bone is rebuilt at the same rate as it is broken down. In older adults and those with cancer metastasis to the bones, the resorption process occurs more rapidly. Your bones are often the first sign that cancer has spread to the bone. As the condition progresses, resorption causes a thinning and weakening of bones. As the bones become weak fractures can occur sometimes without any major injury causing damage,” Dr Dalwai said.
Changes In Your Nervous System
“When cancer cells grow in or near the spine they can put a pressure on the spinal cord and the adjacent nerves this pressure can cause pain in the back or neck, numbness, tingling and difficulty in walking,” Dr Dalwai said.
Changes in the nervous system are associated with brain which are complications due to:
- Brain metastasis of the breast cancer
- Brain tumour and space-occupying lesions (SOL) in Brain
- Brain metastasis can affect your vision, memory and behaviour
Symptoms of this can include frequent-headache, dizziness, nauséa, localising neurological signs, vomiting, and seizures. As per doctor, CT scan, MRI & brain imaging help in deciding the the future line of treatment in terms of craniotomy which is a surgery and also radiation therapy.
Changes In Your Energy Levels
- Breathing difficulties
- Abdominal distension
- Jaundice
Roughly half of people with metastatic breast cancer have Liver metastasis hence the functions of liver are affected. On this Dr Dalwai said, “Early signs include Pain and full abdominal distension, more serious sudden weight-loss, vomiting or Jaundice. Sometimes cancer & may cause blockage of the bile duct.”
Bottomline
Breast cancer is prevalent in India and the second most common cause of deaths. However, these deaths can be prevented if the cancer is detected early and treated properly. If you experience any signs or symptoms, do not wait for it to get serious, consult a doctor and get yourself checked. Regular check ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is your cue to prevent breast cancer.