Key signs of breast cancer include a new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size/shape, skin dimpling, and nipple changes like inversion or discharge. Other signs are breast skin redness, scaling, or a, “peau d’orange” orange-peel texture. See a doctor if you notice any of these changes
Top 10 Signs of Breast Cancer:
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- A new lump or mass: Typically firm, non-painful, and sometimes immobile in the breast or underarm.
- Thickening or swelling: Part of the breast may swell or become thicker than the surrounding tissue.
- Skin dimpling or puckering: The skin may pull inward, appearing dimpled or like an orange peel (“peau d’orange”).
- Change in size or shape: Sudden or unusual changes in the contour or size of one breast.
- Nipple retraction (inversion): The nipple pulls inward, changes direction, or becomes inverted.
- Nipple discharge: Any discharge other than breast milk, particularly if it is bloody or happens without squeezing.
- Redness or flaky skin: Red, dry, or flaking skin on the nipple or breast, which may resemble eczema.
- Pain in the breast or nipple: Persistent pain that does not change with the menstrual cycle.
- Nipple skin irritation or scaling: Crustiness or scaling around the nipple, sometimes associated with Paget’s disease.
- Skin changes or warm skin: Breast skin that feels warm, tender, or develops a rash/redness, which can indicate inflammatory breast cancer.
While some symptoms, such as pain or a lump, may be caused by non-cancerous conditions, it is crucial to have any changes evaluated by a healthcare professional.