How to Tell Cancers from Infections
Women who have the aforementioned symptoms may worry that these are signs of a malignancy. While this is always a possibility, these can also be symptoms of an infection called mastitis.
Mastitis is most common in breastfeeding women, in which it can cause a blocked duct and even a fever. In many cases, it enters the ducts through a crack or irritation in the nipple. Women may also notice redness, discharge from the nipples, and signs of systemic illness such as headache. In rare cases, mastitis can cause an abscess that has to be excised and drained.
It can be difficult to tell infections from cancers. If you or a loved one notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to get medical care as soon as possible. If mastitis is the problem, it should go away within days of antibiotic treatment. If the symptoms are due to malignancy, you will want to have it diagnosed and begin treatment as early as possible.
Because it can be difficult to tell mastitis from inflammatory cancers, your doctor may start you on antibiotics and ask you to follow up if your symptoms do not improve. It is crucial to follow all instructions exactly. if there is no improvement, you will likely need imaging or a biopsy to determine the issue.
Inflammatory cancers are extremely aggressive. The disease can progress quickly from one stage to another in just days or weeks. Getting a diagnosis as early as possible is one of the best ways to improve your chance of survival.
