3 Normal breast changes and 6 that could be warning signs of health problems

With age comes wisdom, but also the risk of developing various diseases. While most of the age-related symptoms that we observe externally in our body are entirely normal, some can be a little worrisome. And every change, no matter how small, must be carefully monitored, as 2/3 of daily deaths are caused by age-related problems.

This post from awesome.club will help you diagnose age-related breast changes so you don’t panic.

As the body ages, stretch marks appear. Although ugly, they are perfectly normal. With age, the hormone levels needed to maintain skin elasticity decrease and, as a result, stretch marks appear. Enlargement of the breasts during pregnancy is also a cause of stretch marks. High levels of stress also favor the emergence of this problem prematurely; so it’s best to keep calm as much as possible.

With age, the breasts and nipples begin to point downwards and it is more likely that weakening breast tissue and gravity are the culprits. There are also several other factors that you should take into account. If you have large breasts or a high body mass index, your breasts tend to sag sooner. Also, if you smoke regularly, they may also drop earlier than expected.

Many of these changes are the result of a lower amount of estrogen manufactured by the body. This important sex hormone is also responsible for maintaining the firmness of the breasts. Dense tissue is replaced by fatty tissue, and as a result, the space between the breasts can increase as the breasts sag. But it all depends on the shape and size.

While breast lumps get a bad rap for being a sign of cancer, most are not. According to the UK’s National Health Service, most of them are harmless. Nodules are usually the result of non-cancerous tissue growth or fluid accumulation in the area.

But it is better to be safe than sorry. Breast cancer is easier to treat if caught early. So, if you notice a new lump, schedule a medical appointment and get tested. You may need a mammogram, ultrasound, or even a biopsy, where a needle is inserted into the lump to collect cells for laboratory analysis.

Cancerous tissues rarely cause breast pain. Even so, you should certainly seek medical attention because a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) causes pain. In addition to pain, this type of cancer also has other very distinct symptoms, such as the appearance of red dots. So, if the pain continues for more than a week or gets worse over time, the best thing to do is see a doctor. As we said earlier, prevention is better than cure.

Even if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, nipple discharge may occur and this is not a cause for concern. It can be colorless, milky, yellow, green, brown, or even bloody. But if you notice that the discharge flows regularly or while the nipple is being pressed, you should see a doctor. The secretion may be caused by cancerous tissues.

Perfectly symmetrical breasts are a rarity, so don’t panic if you notice they’re different from one another. But if one of your breasts suddenly changes in size or an area feels thicker, see a doctor. A sudden change in the shape of one of the breasts can be a sign of cancer.

Red spots on the breasts are usually a result of a rash or a temporary skin condition. But they are also signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). This type of cancer is rare but aggressive. Only about 2% to 4% of breast cancer cases are CMI, but 7% to 10% of breast cancer-related deaths are caused by this variation of the disease. To feel safe, check your breasts regularly. If you notice the appearance of red spots or feel pain in your breasts, don’t waste time and look for a doctor.

Nipples can retract for a variety of reasons. This phenomenon is caused by inflammation or scar tissue located behind the nipple. The causes of this inflammation, in turn, can be numerous and not necessarily the result of cancer.

In the case of cancer, the tumor attacks the duct behind the nipple, pulling it inward. Either way, if your nipples retract, it’s worth making a quick trip to the doctor, especially if the problem is accompanied by other symptoms presented earlier in this post.

Have you ever gone to the doctor imagining you have some disease, but it turned out to be a false alarm? Share your experience in the comments.