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Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

Oct. 1st, 2021

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is dedicated to educating people about breast cancer, the early warning signs, and those it impacts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 255,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States.1 Breast cancer is more common in women than men, and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.2

While breast cancer can’t be prevented, there are steps that you can take to receive the proper care if diagnosed. It’s important to discuss breast cancer with your doctor to learn about possible lifesaving steps early on.

Here are some of the signs that you might have breast cancer.

Lumps in the Breast

Finding a lump in the breast is one of the most common signs of breast cancer.

Many women’s breasts are naturally lumpy because that’s how breast tissue naturally feels. However, a lump in the breast that feels unusual or out of place could be a sign of breast cancer.

A lump that might be breast cancer is:3

  • A lump that feels different than the rest of your breast
  • A lump that is harder than the rest of the breast tissue
  • A new lump you notice that was not there before

A type of lump in the breast that is dangerous is called a malignant tumor. Malignant Tumors can destroy healthy breast tissue and grow bigger over time. If left untreated, the tumors can make it to your lymph nodes and spread cancer to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.4

However, it’s important to note that not all lumps found in the breast are a sign of breast cancer. If you find an unusual lump on your breast, discuss your concerns with your doctor and receive a proper diagnosis.

Changes to the Look of the Breast

While breasts come in different shapes and sizes, there are common changes that occur when breast cancer develops.

Here are a few ways the breast will change if you have breast cancer.

Color

One change that can happen when a woman develops breast cancer is the color of the breast. It can change to be a red color or appear inflamed.5

Dimpling or Puckering

Another sign of breast cancer is if the skin looks dimpled or puckered. This can occur at any part of the breast and will look different from the rest of it.3

Skin Irritation

If the skin on your breast looks swollen or irritated, this could be a sign of breast cancer. Sometimes the skin can also appear scaly or thicker than the rest.6

Nipple Discharge

Nipple discharge is one of the most common signs that someone has breast cancer.

The breasts were created to naturally discharge fluids. Women’s breasts are made to discharge milk when pregnant or breastfeeding, and it can last up to three years. There is also normal nipple discharge that happens during menopause or fibrocystic changes.7

However, if you notice that your nipples are discharging fluid, it might be a sign that you have breast cancer. Cancerous fluid usually comes in the colors red, green, or clear. Furthermore, if it only affects one breast or comes alongside a new lump, you will want to see a doctor to get it checked.8

Breasts have 15-20 duct openings on each nipple, and fluid can come from multiple of these ducts. Sometimes the discharge will come when the breast is squeezed, but other times it will occur naturally.9

If you notice a change in your breasts or find unusual colored fluid coming out of them, you should immediately contact a doctor, even if you just recently had a baby or went through menopause.

Nipple Changes

There are several changes that happen to the nipples that could be signs of breast cancer.

Nipple Pain

Breast cancer commonly causes pain in the nipples or surrounding nipple areas. There can also be pain, tenderness, and discomfort that is not normal when breast cancer is present. Many people describe the pain that they feel with breast cancer as a burning sensation.10

Nipple Inwardness

Another change that can happen to the nipples is that they will become inverted. The reason for this is a lump inside the breast might be pulling inwards. This can change the position or shape of the nipple.11

Keep in mind that some women will be born with a naturally inverted nipple. However, if you weren’t born with one, keep an eye out on the nipple shape as a way to check for breast cancer.

Ulcers

If you notice an ulcer that appears on your nipple or skin tissue, this can be another sign that you might have breast cancer. Sometimes ulcers can even be on the areola, which is the dark colored skin that surrounds the nipple.12

How to Give Yourself a Breast Self-Examination

Both women and men are recommended to check their bodies at least once a month for breast cancer. The sooner breast cancer is discovered, the earlier you can receive treatments that can minimize the risks and help to slow the spread of the cancer.

To give yourself a breast self-examination, you should:13

  • Look at yourself in the mirror. Check that your breasts are their usual size, shape, and color. Keep an eye out for swelling, irritation, or other signs of breast cancer.
  • Check your nipples. Look for any signs of fluids coming out in one or both nipples.
  • Raise your arms. Raising your arms is a way to get a better look at your breasts and check for changes.
  • Check your breasts when lying down or sitting. Use a circular motion with your fingers to check your breasts for any changes. Make sure to check all of the skin tissue by going down the breasts vertically, in a row-like fashion.

Medical experts recommend that women receive a mammogram screening every year if you are over 45 years old.14 Mammograms can help your doctor identify breast cancer early, and they can help you find the proper treatments before the breast cancer develops further.

Spread Awareness About Breast Cancer This October

This month, Saber Healthcare encourages you to spread awareness about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The more awareness that people have about breast cancer, the earlier that it can be detected and treated.

To learn more about breast cancer and how you can help those who have it, visit The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Website.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

  1. “Basic Information About Breast Cancer.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 20 September 2011. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/index.htm
  2. “Causes of Breast Cancer.” The National Breast Cancer Foundation. 15 April 2020. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/causes-of-breast-cancer
  3. “Warning Signs of Breast Cancer.” Susan G. Komen. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/signs-symptoms/warning-signs/
  4. “Different Kinds of Breast Lumps.” Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Cancer Center. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/breast-cancer-team/patients/bse/breastlumps
  5. “Breast Cancer Symptoms.” Breast Cancer Now. July 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/have-i-got-breast-cancer/signs-symptoms-breast-cancer
  6. “Symptoms and Diagnosis.” Breastcancer.org. 19 October 2018. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms
  7. “Nipple Discharge.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 3 December 2019. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nipple-discharge/basics/causes/sym-20050946
  8. Nazario, Brunilda, ed. “Your Breasts: What’s Normal, What’s Not?” WebMD. 25 January 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.webmd.com/women/normal-vs-abnormal-breasts
  9. “Nipple Discharge.” BCI Westmead Breast Cancer Institute. April 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.bci.org.au/breast-cancer-information/fact-sheets/nipple-discharge/
  10. Nall, Rachel. Azu, Michelle. “What signs of breast cancer are there other than a lump?” Healthline Media, MedicalNewsToday. 31 January 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322832
  11. “The Symptoms of Breast Cancer.” Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.roche.com/research_and_development/what_we_are_working_on/oncology/eight-signs-of-breast-cancer-you-might-not-know-about.htm
  12. “Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore.” The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. January 2019. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/breast-cancer-symptoms-you-shouldn-t-ignore.h10-1592991.html
  13. “Breast Self-Examine.” Breastcancer.org. 24 October 2019. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam
  14. “American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer.” Cancer.org. 27 August 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021. Link: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html
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