How long can you have breast cancer without knowing?
Breast cancer has to divide 30 times before it can be felt. Up to the 28th cell division, neither you nor your doctor can detect it by hand. With most breast cancers, each division takes one to two months, so by the time you can feel a cancerous lump, the cancer has been in your body for two to five years.
Can you have breast cancer with no symptoms?
Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. In some cases, a lump may be too small for you to feel or to cause any unusual changes you can notice on your own.
Can you have cancer with no symptoms?
asymptomatic cancer. When cancer or any condition is present but there are no noticeable symptoms, it’s said to be asymptomatic. Many cancers are asymptomatic in their early stages, which is why regular screenings are so important. Cancers that trigger obvious symptoms early on are called symptomatic cancers.
What are some early signs of breast cancer that can sometimes go unnoticed?
6 Overlooked Signs of Breast Cancer
- Nipple discharge.
- Skin changes.
- Nipple crust.
- Change in shape or size.
- Inverted nipple.
- Red or hot spots.
How can a woman tell if she has breast cancer?
Skin changes, such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts. An increase in size or change in shape of the breast(s) Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples. Nipple discharge other than breast milk.
How do you feel when you have breast cancer?
The most common symptom is a lump in your breast or armpit. Others include skin changes, pain, a nipple that pulls inward, and unusual discharge from your nipple.
How quickly does breast cancer spread?
According to the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center at Providence Portland Medical Center, breast cancer cells need to divide at least 30 times before they are detectable by physical exam. Each division takes about 1 to 2 months, so a detectable tumor has likely been growing in the body for 2 to 5 years.
Can breast cancer appear suddenly?
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms can appear quite suddenly. Inflammatory breast cancer is often confused with an infection of the breast (mastitis). This is because the symptoms are very similar.
What does early stage breast cancer look like?
A new mass or lump in breast tissue is the most common sign of breast cancer. The ACS report that these lumps are usually hard, irregular in shape, and painless. However, some breast cancer tumors can be soft, round, and tender to the touch.
Which cancer is known as the silent killer?
Pancreatic Cancer: The Silent Killer.
Can you feel perfectly fine and have cancer?
7. Cancer is always a painful disease, so if you feel fine, you don’t have cancer. Many types of cancer cause little to no pain, especially in the early stages.
What does cancer fatigue feel like?
People with cancer might describe it as feeling very weak, listless, drained, or “washed out” that may decrease for a while but then comes back. Some may feel too tired to eat, walk to the bathroom, or even use the TV remote. It can be hard to think or move.