The risk of breast cancer, in recent times, has become a definitive matter of concern among women in the US and the rest of the world. Identifying the early signs and diagnosis of breast cancer are the only possible ways of avoiding further complications. To help you stay aware, here are some of the earliest signs and methods of diagnosis of the condition.

Early warning signs of breast cancer
These are some of the earliest signs and symptoms of the disease:

• Lump in the breast or underarm
  Among the very early signs used for the diagnosis of breast cancer, is the formation of a lump in your breast or underarms. If the lump doesn’t go away on its own after a period, it indicates the growth of a tumor. Most lumps are painless, though a few of them can cause a prickly sensation.
• Inflammation in the armpit, breast or collarbone
  These are quite serious warning signs of breast cancer. Any type of swelling in the armpit or collarbone means that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This swelling can even develop before a lump, and if felt or noticed, do not hesitate to tell your doctor about it.
• Pain or tenderness in the breast
  One of the early signs of breast cancer, you might feel a dull pain in your entire breast, along with a strange kind of tenderness that can be experienced only during the early stages of pregnancy. If you are not pregnant nor in your menstruation time, then take note of the symptom and consult a doctor immediately.

Ways of diagnosing breast cancer
The diagnostic method for breast cancer will depend on the symptoms, the stage of the cancer, age of the patient, health condition and other factors. Some of the most common methods are:

• Diagnostic mammography
  In a diagnostic mammography, several pictures of the breast are taken. It is carried out when the woman is experiencing symptoms like a lump or nipple discharge. A diagnostic mammography is a step ahead of the screening mammography, through which, anything suspicious can be detected.
• MRI
  An MRI uses magnetic fields instead of x-rays to produce intricate images of the body. A dye is injected into the woman’s veins to get as clear a picture as possible. Breast MRI is conducted after the woman has already been diagnosed with the cancer to see how far the disease has spread throughout the organ.
• Biopsy
  A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination. A biopsy can make a very definite diagnosis of breast cancer. It can be of different types, depending on the technique used to collect the sample.

By staying aware of the early signs of breast cancer, you can ensure its timely diagnosis, leading to proper treatment being given to you or your loved one.