Breast cancer awareness is changing. Although most people know that breast cancer is common (diagnosed in about 1 out of every 8 women in their lifetime), it used to be thought of as something that only impacted older women or those with a strong family history. Thankfully, we are learning that it’s important for every woman at every age to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Finding cancer early
One of the most important things to know about breast cancer is that finding it early improves chances of survival and provides more treatment options. Folks should work with their provider beginning at age 25 to 30 to determine their risk. This can inform decisions like when to start screening with mammograms (and possibly additional imaging like ultrasound or MRI). Screening needs to be done every year since risk factors can change, such as the breast cancer diagnosis of a close relative.
At home
In addition to official screening, awareness of changes in your breasts is helpful. A regular monthly breast exam may not be needed for every person, but general knowledge of what’s normal for your breasts to look and feel like can make a big difference when it comes to spotting worrisome changes.
If you have a menstrual cycle, breasts can naturally feel differently throughout that cycle, and this is normal! Recognizing when you may feel fullness or temporary pain or lumps that come and go is crucial to understanding if a change is something new and permanent or simply the result of hormonal ups and downs. For example, many folks feel breast soreness in both breasts before their period starts. This is very different from feeling pain in one breast in one spot that doesn’t go away, which would be a sign to call your healthcare provider.
What to look and feel for
A lump in the breast is the most well-known sign of a possible concern. These may be visible or just felt by hand. Cancerous lumps are generally painless, stay present throughout a menstrual cycle, and may have rough and firm edges. They might also feel more “stuck” to the surrounding tissue. Smooth round lumps that move more freely within the breast tissue, or lumps that swell and shrink at different times of your cycle may be more likely to be harmless cysts. But even though they may be less concerning, all new lumps should be checked out. Most people know that a lump can be concerning, but there are a lot more possible symptoms that not everyone is aware of.
Skin changes: Orange peel texture, rash, redness, roughness, flaking
Dimpling: Skin pulling inward anywhere on breast
Inverted or pulled-in nipple: Concerning if new, but generally not concerning if this has been life-long
Dripping: New nipple discharge not due to pregnancy/lactation
Pain/Swelling: Ongoing breast or nipple pain; in advanced stages this pain/swelling may also be felt in the armpit or under the collarbone
Fatigue/Unexplained weight loss: This typically occurs in later cancer stages
A note on dense breasts
If you’ve had a mammogram before, then you should know about your breast density category, also called BI-RADS A, B, C, or D. Higher breast density can make it harder to feel early lumps. As density goes up, mammogram screening becomes less effective. Always work with your provider to determine if you need additional support and care due to known breast density.
Calling your provider
If you feel or see any possible signs of breast cancer, it’s important to call your provider right away. Again, the earlier breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more likely you are to have treatment options and survive. Although it can feel tough to make that call when you’re not 100% sure if a symptom is normal or not, it’s always best to trust your instincts and get help.
And remember, regular screening is essential, even if you’re keeping a close eye on your breasts at home. Screening can help find cancer long before it can be felt by hand or seen from the outside. Breast cancer can feel scary, but knowing the signs, symptoms and importance of screening can make all the difference.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- Boyd NF, Guo H, Martin LJ, Sun L, Stone J, Fishell E, Jong RA, Hislop G, Chiarelli A, Minkin S, Yaffe MJ. Mammographic density and the risk and detection of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jan 18;356(3):227-36. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa062790. PMID: 17229950.
- Shoemaker ML, White MC, Wu M, Weir HK, Romieu I. Differences in breast cancer incidence among young women aged 20-49 years by stage and tumor characteristics, age, race, and ethnicity, 2004-2013. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018 Jun;169(3):595-606. doi: 10.1007/s10549-018-4699-9.
- Stafford, A, De La Cruz, LM, Willey, S. Workup and treatment of nipple discharge—a practical review. Inova Health System, Department of Surgery, Schar Cancer Institute, Fairfax, VA, USA
- World Health Organization, Fact sheet: Cancer; www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer.
