What Are Symptoms And Signs Of Breast Cancer?

Only you know how your breast looks and feels.  Knowing this is important to the health of your breast.  There are of course screenings for breast cancer, but there are instances when these screenings do not find every case of breast cancer.  This is why it is crucial for you to know your breast and to be aware of all changes your breasts go through.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or round.  They can even be painful. For this reason, it’s important to have any new breast mass, lump, or breast change checked by an experienced health care professional.

Possible symptoms of breast cancer are:

• Skin changes, like swelling, redness, or other observable differences in one or both breasts
• An increase in size or change in form of the breast(s)
• Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples
• Nipple discharge Aside from breast milk
• General pain in/on any part of the breast
• Lumps or nodes sensed or within the breast

Symptoms more unique to breast cancer are as follows:

• Irritated or itchy breasts
• Change in breast color
• Increase in breast size or shape (within a brief time period )
• Changes in contact (may feel different, tender or hot )
• Peeling or flaking from the breast skin
• Breast lump or thickening
• Redness of the breast skin (such as the skin of an orange)

Any of these symptoms can be caused by other reasons.  However, If you have any of these symptoms, then you should call your gynecologist to have things checked out.  Early detection is key in helping fight breast cancer.