Patient's question:
Female patient, 20 years old. My left breast is smaller than my right breast, and the nipple of my left breast often itches. This symptom has persisted for more than half a year. Is this a sign of illness?Doctor's answer:
Answer: Hello! Please don't worry too much. If you have doubts about the diagnosis, you can always get checked at other authoritative hospitals. Before the examination, you can perform self-examinations based on the following early symptoms:1. Some early-stage breast cancer patients may not yet be able to feel a clear lump in their breast, but often experience local discomfort, especially postmenopausal women, who may feel mild pain or discomfort in one breast, or heaviness, aching, or discomfort in one shoulder and back, even extending to the upper arm on that side.
2. Small, bean-sized lumps can be felt in the breast, which are relatively hard and movable. Generally, there is no obvious pain, though some may experience intermittent dull pain, aching, or stinging.
3. Changes in breast shape: The skin over the lump may appear raised. In some cases, the skin may resemble orange peel, or even show edema, discoloration, or eczema-like changes.
4. Nipple retraction near the center of the nipple. The breast skin may show slight indentation (medically known as "inverted nipple"), nipple erosion, asymmetry of the nipple, or thickening, roughening, or enlarged pores of the breast skin (medically known as "orange peel syndrome").
5. Nipple discharge: Bloody or serous bloody discharge should be particularly noted and further examination is recommended.
6. Swelling of regional lymph nodes, with axillary lymph node enlargement being the most common. Enlargement of supraclavicular lymph nodes already indicates advanced stages.
Breast cancer metastasis is not incurable. In adjuvant therapy, many patients choose to take ginseng essence extract, ginsenoside Rh2. Ginsenoside Rh2 can effectively regulate the human immune system, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, and has certain therapeutic effects on the prevention of recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioma. It is suitable for tumor patients, severely ill individuals, and the elderly or frail. It also helps improve patients' appetite and sleep.