Many women (and less commonly, men) are affected by breast cancer each year in the United States. Early detection of breast cancer is vital to increasing your chances of a successful outcome. In order to detect breast cancer early, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms you may experience. While most women are aware of the common symptoms of breast cancer, below are some of the more often overlooked signs. Please see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed below in order to properly test for breast cancer.
1. Lumps in the Breast
Althoughlumps in your breast are a common sign of breast cancer, it’s stillunfortunately considered an overlooked symptom. It’s important to include aself-breast examination as a regular part of your health routine. At SouthcoastHealth, we recommend a self-breast examination once a month just to feel forany irregularities in the breast tissue. One way to perform a self-examinationis to wait until you get out of the shower and gently massage the tissue inyour breast, feeling for lumps, bumps, or anything that feels out of theordinary. It’s important to do this regularly so that you can feel when achange occurs in the breast tissue and alert your doctor if there’s anythingthat needs to be looked into. A lump in the breast is one of the earliest andmost common signs of breast cancer, so detecting one early on can help catchbreast cancer in its early stages.
2. Discharge from the Nipple
Another overlooked symptom of breast cancer is discharge fromthe nipple. If you are experiencing discharge, and you’re not breastfeeding,this is abnormal and should be brought up with a doctor. When associated withbreast cancer, the discharge will often be bloody – with some women alsoreporting pain in the nipple area and general discomfort. Nipple discharge maybe normal in early pregnancy and when breastfeeding but be sure to ask yourdoctor to confirm that everything is healthy.
3. Change in Nipple Color
Thereare several reasons your nipples or areolas change color. Common reasons forcolor change include general aging and/or pregnancy. However, one of the moreoverlooked reasons for changes in nipple color is associated with the presenceof breast cancer. It’s especially abnormal if it’s occurring in only one nippleand not evenly on both breasts. It’s also particularly unusual for nipple colorto change outside of pregnancy. If you experience one nipple or areolaappearing different in color from the other, consult your doctor for further analysis.
4. Redness and/or Change of Texture inthe Breast
Doyour breasts suddenly look slightly red or have an uneven texture? That,unfortunately, is an often-overlooked sign of breast cancer. The redness willappear like a rash and may also accompany an orange peel-like texture on thebreast as well. If you are experiencing a sudden change in texture or rednessin your breast that is not associated with a known cause, then be sure toimmediately bring this to your doctor’s attention. Remember, early detection iskey in recovering from breast cancer so don’t be afraid to bring up yourconcerns with a healthcare professional immediately.
5. Dimpling and Scaling
Ifyou experience new dimpling or scaling on your breast or nipple, this isanother common yet overlooked sign of breast cancer. Both of these symptomspoint to an irregularity on the breast which is vital not to overlook.
Get a Breast Exam Today at Southcoast Health
At Southcoast Health, we offer exceptional care for those experiencing symptoms of breast cancer. Not only can we help detect breast cancer early, but we pride ourselves on listening to your concerns and addressing them to ensure your overall health. Schedule an appointment for a mammogram with one of our breast specialists or contact us today for more information.
