Breast cancer can cause signs and symptoms like:

• - A change in the size, shape or the appearance of the breast.
• - A newly inverted nipple.
• - Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin around the nipple or breast’s skin.
• - A lump or thickening of a portion of the breast which may feel different from other surrounding tissue.
• - Red, pitted skin over the breast.

What does breast surgery entail?

Depending on the stage and grade, size and whether the breast cancer cells are sensitive to the hormone as well as your overall health, Dr Moodley will determine which breast cancer treatment is appropriate for you. There are different types of procedures to treat breast cancer, such as:

• Lumpectomy: This is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of the tumour and the surrounding tissue. During the procedure, Dr Moodley will make an incision on your breast and use an electric scalpel which uses heat to minimize bleeding. He will remove the tumour and the surrounding tissue. After the procedure, a catheter will be inserted in your breast to drain excess fluid which may accumulate in the area where the tumour was. After the procedure, the incision will be stitched close and dressed.
• Wide Local Excision + Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy /Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for breast cancer: A sentinel lymph node biopsy/axillary lymph node dissection involves the surgeon making an incision on the side of your breast. He will then remove a number of lymph nodes from the side of the tumour, next to your armpit. These lymph nodes will be tested for cancer. If cancer is detected, additional lymph nodes may need to be removed. However, if there is no cancer, no further lymph nodes will be removed.
• Mastectomy: This is a procedure which involves the removal of the entire breast. During the procedure, Dr Moodley will make an elliptical incision around your breast, and the breast tissue will be removed. The breast tissue and lymph nodes removed will be sent to the laboratory to be tested.