Subtle Breast Cancer Symptoms You May Be Ignoring (2 of 3)

Subtle Symptoms To Watch For

Some of the most common indicators are lumps and changes in the appearance of breasts. One of the more subtle changes is skin dimpling or puckering. This can appear to be just a small indentation or uneven texture of the skin. It can be only slightly different from the texture of normal skin. Another sign to look for is swelling or redness in the breast. This can sometimes just indicate an infection or inflammation. But it could also be a sign of cancer.

Additionally, be mindful of any changes to your nipple area. One subtle sign of breast cancer is discharge coming from the nipple. Of course, this would be more likely to occur if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. But even still, if the discharge looks abnormal, this could be cause for concern. The abnormal discharge could be bloody or strange in color. Beyond discharge, also pay attention to the appearance of your nipple. It is normal for the way our breasts and nipples appear to change over time. But abnormal changes that could indicate the potential presence of breast cancer are inversion and flattening of the nipple. If any changes like this occur suddenly, it may be time to reach out to a physician.

Pain and discomfort are also potential indications of breast cancer. Pain is not usually a cause for concern, if it is sporadic and temporary. But persistent and constant pain or discomfort could be a potential sign of breast cancer. Swelling of lymph nodes could also be a reason to speak with a doctor. Lymph nodes under the arms and around the collarbones are subtle signs of potential breast cancer.

Why Self-Examination is So Important

Knowing these subtle signs is the first step in the early prevention of breast cancer. But taking it a step further and using this knowledge is the real key to early prevention. Self-examinations are so important – and doing them regularly will help you have a better understanding of what is normal for your breasts, and what is out of the norm. If you are familiar with the feel of your breasts and nipples, you will definitely be aware if anything changes or becomes abnormal. Performing a self-examination is simple and won’t take up too much of your time, but could make all the difference in possibly catching breast cancer early.

There are two ways to check your breasts effectively. First, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your sides, then raise them above your head. You can then check for any changes in shape, size, or appearance. Secondly, lying down, you can pad your fingers to feel for any lumps, check the outer edge of your nipples, and apply different amounts of pressure to feel deeper breast tissue.