What is it like to have breast cancer?

Varies: Most breast cancer, nowadays, is picked up on mammography or the patient feeling a painless lump. More advanced stages may present with lymph nodes under the arm, redness of the breast, or reatraction of the skin overlying the lump. It is uncommon for breast cancer to be diagnosed at stage IV - where the patient has metastases to bone or liver. If you have a lump see your doc.

Usually No Symptoms: The majority of breast cancers are found when no symptoms are present. These cancers are detected early through appropriate screening methods. Others are discovered because of a new lump, nipple discharge, or skin thickening. The best chance for a cure is with early detection.

It's scary: No matter what stage of breast cancer, getting this diagnosis is scary. One day you are going about your life and feeling fine. The next day you know you have cancer, and all you can think about is dying. Your body feels the same, except for some soreness in your breast where you had a biopsy. But your heart feels like it dropped off a building. Anyway, that's how it felt when i got diagnosed.