Q: I have a weird sore under my breast. It looks blackish and is small. Could this be breast cancer?
A: I don’t know but without doubt, it should be checked out. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that begins in the cells of the breast. It can occur in men but is more prevalent in women. For the purposes of this article, I will discuss the disease in women.
The breast is made up of glands that produce milk, ducts that carry that milk, connective tissue, blood vessels and lymph vessels. Most cancers in this area begin in the cells that line the ducts but can originate elsewhere. I must interject here that not all lumps or lesions represent breast cancer. Most are actually benign (non-cancerous) and are not life-threatening. Keep in mind, however, that some benign lesions can increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. Most lumps are a combination of cysts and fibrosis. Cysts are actually fluid-filled sacs, while fibrosis is the formation of tissue that is scar-like.
There are several forms of breast cancer. I will discuss several of the more common forms. Ductal carcinoma in situ represents a non-invasive form in which the cancer cells are only present in the ducts and have not grown through into breast tissue. This form is commonly found on mammogram.
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It begins in a milk duct and breaks through the wall to invade breast tissue. It has the capability of metastasizing to other parts of the body.
Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the milk glands, spreads through the walls, and metastasizes.
Inflammatory breast cancer is not as common, there is no lump, nor is there a tumor. Instead, the breast is warm to the touch and red in color. The skin may appear thick, enlarge, itch and become tender. This form is often mistaken for an infection, essentially because there is no mass present. It may or may not be visible through mammography.
A breast exam by your health care provider is critical at this stage. He or she may not be able to look at the lesion and give you a firm diagnosis so in all likelihood, a mammogram will be recommended. The American Cancer Society recommends scheduling one the week following your menstrual cycle when your breasts are less sensitive and a clearer picture can be obtained. Mammograms are vital if breast cancer is found and detected early on, when it is easiest to treat.
Because you have a lesion does not imply you automatically have breast cancer; however, a good rule of thumb for virtually every individual out there is that if a mole or other lesion changes in any way – enlarges, darkens, or takes on a different appearance, it should be checked out because it may be a melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. I can neither confirm nor deny the lesion that appears under your breast has anything to do with breast cancer. Its location on your body may be a total coincidence but it should be checked out. Perhaps you have a bug bite that crusted over. Perhaps not. But, do yourself a favor. Visit your health care professional and put your mind to rest.
