Recognize the early symptoms ofbreast cancer It can make a big difference in disease progression. The sooner you recognize it and begin treatment, the better your chances of a full recovery, but knowing exactly what to look for and what kinds of changes require a conversation with your doctor can be confusing. Breast cancer symptoms can look different from person to person Posted by self.
Dr. Flanagan says the most common early symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or change in the shape or girth of the breast. Other red flags may include nipple changes, skin changes, or a feeling of unusually enlarged breasts.
What are the early signs of breast cancer?
1. Abnormal mammography
A mammogram is a screening tool that uses low-dose X-rays to detect signs of breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Flanagan says mammograms can detect cancer in the vast majority of people who have the disease but haven’t yet felt a lump in the breast, which is why it’s so effective.
Mammograms also help experts find other signs of breast cancer that may be detected before more obvious changes appear, says Jennifer O’Neill, MD, FACS, breast surgeon at Arizona Oncology. These can include calcifications, which they are small deposits of calcium within the breast tissue.
2. Notable lumps
If you feel a hard lump anywhere around your breasts or in your armpit, don’t ignore it. In fact, one study found that of the 56 breast cancer presentations seen, a lump was the most common. 1
3. Changes in the shape and girth of the breasts
Naturally, the shape of your breasts will change over time. After all, your boobs at 20 aren’t what you’ll see at 50 (thanks, sweetie!), especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
4. Nipple changes or discharge
Another early sign of breast cancer could include certain changes in the nipple, such as nipples that turn inward, pull to one side, appear dimpled or change direction, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Inflammation around the nipple, flaky skin, peeling, itching, or burning sensation. Abnormal nipple discharge is another thing worth paying attention to.
5. Inflammation, discoloration or swelling of the skin
While not as common as other early signs of breast cancer, a new appearance of breast discoloration, thickening of the skin on the breast, a lump affecting more than a third of the breast, or swollen lymph nodes near the armpit may be associated with cancer. inflammatory breast disease (IBC), which is a rare and “very aggressive” form of the disease that is often mistaken for an infection, according to the National Cancer Institute.
6. Breast pain or heaviness
While most breast cancers don’t cause pain, they are possible. Dr. Flanagan says breast tenderness and heaviness is a possible early symptom, often overlooked or ignored.
