The symptoms of breast cancer during lactation are similar to those of general breast cancer

Primary breast cancer that occurs during breastfeeding is called lactational breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is clinically rare, but because people do not fully understand the symptoms of lactational breast cancer, they cannot accurately judge when suspected symptoms appear and do not seek medical treatment in time, thus delaying the best time for treatment.

Symptoms of breast cancer during lactation are similar to those of general breast cancer, mainly the appearance of lumps in the breast and discharge from the nipple. Nipple discharge is usually from a single duct in one breast, and bloody and serous discharge are common. The lumps are usually painless or accompanied by mild pain. It is often accompanied by enlarged axillary lymph nodes. Due to the enlargement of breasts during lactation and the increase in breast tissue density, X-ray examinations often do not easily show tumors, which makes early diagnosis difficult.

Breast cancer during lactation is more common in women under 35 years old. Due to the changes in hormone levels during breastfeeding after pregnancy, namely, the significant increase in estrogen and adrenal cortex hormone, the increase in prolactin and growth hormone levels during lactation and the decrease in the number of T cells in the blood, the body's immune function is reduced, resulting in faster tumor growth and increased malignancy. At the same time, during pregnancy and lactation, the number of capillaries in the breast increases and becomes dilated and congested, making it easy for the tumor to spread. In addition, due to the increase in breast parenchyma and glandular hyperplasia, the breast becomes physiologically enlarged and hardened, making it difficult to detect the tumor in the early stage. Once discovered, it is mostly in the middle and late stages.