Finding a mass in the breast tissue, or a breast lump, is one of the most recognized signs of breast cancer. However, many breast cancers that are found with breast screening like mammography are too tiny to feel and finding a lump doesn’t always mean that you have breast cancer. Recognizing all of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer helps you seek the care that you need when you need it.
No symptoms at all may be one of the most surprising symptoms of all. Click To TweetSkin changes
Breast cancer may cause changes in texture or appearance of the skin:
- redness or swelling
- changes in color
- firmness or thickening of skin
- flaking or peeling skin
- dimpling or pitting
Change in appearance
Noticeable changes in breast size or shape, especially over a short period of time, can be a warning sign of breast cancer.
Changes that affect the nipple
Change in nipple appearance (nipple retraction or inversion), nipple discharge that is bloody and/or clear that comes out of one nipple, through one hole or orifice in the nipple on its own, without being squeezed or expressed, and nipple pain, are all breast cancer warning signs.
No symptoms
Breast cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until advanced stages, and some types of breast cancer do not cause obvious symptoms at all. Yearly screening mammography can detect breast cancer that does not cause visible signs or symptoms.
Breast pain with no other symptoms is almost never a sign of breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor when you notice changes in your breasts. While these are all warning signs of breast cancer they may indicate a condition other than breast cancer.
Protect yourself against breast cancer
Familiarizing yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel, learning the lesser known symptoms of breast cancer, and talking to your doctor can help you protect yourself from breast cancer and other conditions that affect breast health.
- Learn your personal risk for breast cancer. You can learn your breast cancer risk in about one minute.
- All women at an average risk for breast cancer should begin annual mammography beginning at age 40.
- Women with dense breasts should consider breast ultrasound in addition to mammography screening.
- Talk to the specialists at the Breast Center in Northwest Arkansas.