For decades, the medical community and the media have waged an effective awareness campaign about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, educating the public about the importance of diligently monitoring their breasts for lumps. And the tactic has worked. Early detection has contributed to a 38 percent decline in breast cancer deaths in women from 1992 to 2018, according to the National Cancer Institute. While that’s an important step forward, many other abnormalities that may also indicate breast cancer are lesser known and discussed. Some, then, may be led to assume that no lump and no tumor mean no cancer, but that may be a dangerous conclusion to draw. Show
When most people think about breast cancer symptoms, they think of breast lumps. But doctors say visual changes may be especially key in helping detect breast cancer early. You may notice some of these changes just by changing the way you look at your reflection in the mirror, says Cynthia Lynch, MD, Medical Oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Phoenix. “You can see a lot of things just by looking at your breasts in the mirror. When your arms are by your side, you don't always see everything,” says Dr. Lynch, Breast Cancer Program Clinical Advisor for CTCA®. “Put your hands on your hips or raise them up. Having arms in two different positions while looking is also helpful.” In this article, we’ll discuss the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of breast cancer and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion for breast cancer at CTCA, call us or chat online with a member of our team. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is an important part of your breast health. Although having regular screening tests for breast cancer is important, mammograms do not find every breast cancer. This means it's also important for you to know what your breasts normally look and feel like, so you’ll be aware of any changes in your breasts. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass (although most breast lumps are not cancer). A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer, but breast cancers can be also soft, round, tender, or even painful. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:
Many of these symptoms can also be caused by benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions. Still, it’s important to have any new breast mass, lump, or other change checked by an experienced health care professional so the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Remember that knowing what to look for does not take the place of having regular screening for breast cancer. Screening mammography can often help find breast cancer early, before any symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer early gives you a better chance of successful treatment. Regular breast self-examinations can detect abnormalities, and mammograms can provide images that detect breast tissue changes. This is why regular mammography screenings are recommended for all women starting at age 40. While these tests are the most effective ways to discover disease early, breast cancer doesn’t always begin as a lump, and mammograms cannot detect all breast tumors. There are a number of uncommon signs of breast cancer that everyone should know about. The 5 Warning Signs of Breast CancerWhile some people do not have any early symptoms, early detection is critical as most people who learn about it early are able to receive successful treatments.Here are 5 warning signs that you might have breast cancer:
What is the first sign of breast cancer?People often ask this question. How does one figure out they have breast cancer? What are the obvious first signs? How do you detect breast cancer in its early stages? How do you detect it before it is too late Well, the first ‘noticeable’ sign of breast cancer is the development of lumps in your breasts. Lumps are localized bulges, bumps, swelling, or protuberances that feel different from the breast tissue around them. Not all lumps are signs of cancer. In fact, most lumps are benign and are symptoms of other conditions such as infections, cysts, fibroadenomas, or fat necrosis. However, just to be certain, if you start noticing lumps in your breasts it is highly recommended that you see a medical professional immediately.Can You Have Breast Cancer And Not Know It?Breast cancer symptoms are very hard to detect in the early stages. Hence, it may be difficult for someone who does not go for regular checkups to know when they have actual symptoms. Recently, on social media, a woman courageously announced that she had no idea she had breast cancer even after noticing a dimple on her breast. “I mean, it was just a dimple,” she said. This is why we advise everyone to have routine mammogram examinations so any abnormalities can be seen and addressed promptly.What Are Unusual Signs of Breast Cancer?Breast cancer can happen to anyone and the symptoms, which may come on quickly or gradually, can vary depending on the type of breast cancer. Some types of breast cancer include invasive breast cancer, non-invasive breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and phyllodes tumor, among others. Here are some unusual or uncommon signs of breast cancer to be aware of:
Pro tip: a good way to check for signs of indentation is by lifting your arms above your head to see all of the skin of your breast move with your arms.
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What are some unusual signs of breast cancer?
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