Breast cancer: Usual and unusual signs you need to watch out for

A new research has shown the promise of a new drug for the effective treatment of breast cancer. This study has found that blocking a certain protein slows down cancer growth.

A new research has found that blocking a protein slows down cancer cell growth. This may help treatment of breast cancer and the development of new breast cancer drugs. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, identified a protein named NUAK2, which is produced by cancer cells to boost their proliferation. The presence of this protein in tumours is associated with poor disease prognosis, according to PTI. This finding is of utmost importance to India because breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India and is about 27 per cent of all cancers in women. There are approximately 25.8 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 women in India. Even if this is lower than in some developed countries, the mortality rate (12.7 per 100,000) is comparable to that in the western countries. Data on incidence rates of breast cancer from six major cancer registries of India show that the annual percentage increase in the incidence of breast cancer has been in the 0.46 to 2.56 per cent range.

A number of reasons could be blamed for breast cancer : Unhealthy lifestyle, stress, imbalanced eating habits, irregular sleeping hours, early onset of periods, late menopause and late pregnancies (beyond 30s). There is no doubt that it is best to detect breast cancer at an early stage to start the treatment early and prevent a relapse. Here are some signs of breast cancer you should not ignore.

1) Breast lump or a lumpish feel is the most commonly reported breast cancer symptom. These are hard to touch and can form in either or both breasts. It is important to do self breast examinations and consult a gynaecologist first who may suggest a mammography.

2) Discharge from nipples is not normal. If there is any sign of blood oozing out, you have got to seek the help of a doctor immediately.

3) There are visible changes in the skin over the breast. It can feel thick, hard and like an orange peel.

4) Drawing or inward pull of nipples or any other change in the nipple shape is not normal.

5) Nodes in armpit can feel a little painful. You may also be able to feel knots.

6) Some of the signs of breast cancer recurrence include recurrent cold and cough, low-grade fever, joint pain, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, headaches, sudden weight loss, pain in bones.