Symptoms of Breast Cancer Every Women Should Know

The few cases where breast cancer has been caught early on were because of regular breast examinations on the part of the women and men concerned. This is why you should perform a breast examination at least once a month to be aware of any changes in your breasts. As the breast cancer progresses, however, certain symptoms will indeed show up.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

• Breast cancer will usually show up in the form of lumps in the breast. A lump is not always painful. However, you may feel a prickly sensation on touching them.

• At times, you may not feel a lump exactly but you may feel a bit of a thickness when you put pressure on a certain area of the breast which differs from the feel of the rest of your breast. This may also be one of the early signs of breast cancer.

• Your armpit is an extension of your breasts on the side. So any swelling or a lump in the armpits could be a potential symptom of breast cancer.

• Any type of breast pain or tenderness should be checked up. This includes the nipples. You may have a high tolerance for pain and may define it as discomfort. If this discomfort is prolonged, then it calls for a visit to your doctor.

• A change in the appearance of the skin on the breasts can be an indication of breast cancer. In the later stages of the disease, the skin can get dimpled. This will look something like the cellulite on the back of the thighs, but will be a little more subtle. Some women may see signs of this in the initial stages too. The textural changes may also include pits, crinkles or ridges.

• The skin on the breast can get irritated and appear inflamed.

• The skin can also become thick and develop a scaly or flaky texture like when you have very dry skin.

• You may experience a discharge from your nipples even if you are not breastfeeding. This discharge can be bloody or clear.

• Sometimes, you may see a swollen lymph node around your collar bone. These too should be looked into as the tumor  in your breast can cause this problem long before it grows big enough to be felt.