7 Possible signs of breast cancer besides a lump
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7 Possible signs of breast cancer besides a lump
Ask a woman who’s had breast cancer how they discovered it and most will say their first clue was finding a lump in the breast. This is certainly true for many women who’ve had the disease. But, a breast lump or mass is just one of the possible signs of breast cancer in women or men. There can be several other changes to the skin on and around the breast warning of the possibility of the most common cancer in women.
In 2018, according to Breastcancer.org, its estimated 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,960 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in American men in 2018.
It is imperative that everyone be educated on other possible signs of breast cancer besides a lump. Keep in mind, however, that the following symptoms listed can also have a noncancerous underlying cause. To be on the safe side, anyone with any of these symptoms should speak to their doctor to be checked for both noncancerous and cancerous conditions.
1. Skin texture change
Certain changes to the texture of skin on the breast could be a sign of breast cancer. Breast cancer can cause changes and inflammation in skin cells can lead to these changes which include:
· Scaly skin around the nipple and areola, as though the skin is sunburned or extremely dry
· Skin thickening in any part of the breast
· Itchiness of skin on the breast
Some of the changes may be symptomatic of a rare breast cancer called Paget’s disease. Other possible reasons for skin texture changes on the breast could be as a result of dermatitis and eczema.
2. Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge can have a variety of reasons which include:
· Breast infection
· A side effect of birth control pills
· A side effect of taking certain medications
· Variations in body physiology
· Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease
Obviously, when a woman is breastfeeding, discharge from the nipples is considered normal but for women not breastfeeding and are experiencing nipple discharges, it is advisable to discuss this with their healthcare provider. Nipple discharge could be thin or thick, and can range in color from clear to milky, to yellow, green, or red. Most discharge from the nipple is noncancerous but because it could also indicate breast cancer, following up with their doctor is recommended.
3. Dimpling of the skin
A sign of inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive type of cancer, is skin dimpling. The dimpled skin resembles the surface of an orange and in fact is referred to as “peau d’orange” by doctors. The dimpling of skin is from cancer cells causing a buildup of lymph fluid in the breast that leads to swelling as well as dimpling or pitted skin. Anyone who discovers skin dimpling on the breast should see their doctor right away.
4. Lymph node changes
Our bodies have a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. This network is part of the body’s immune system which collects fluid, waste materials and other things like viruses and bacteria that are in the body tissues, outside the bloodstream. Lymph nodes are small stuctures that work as filters for harmful substances. They contain immune cells that can help fight infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid.
If there is a problem such as an infection, injury, or cancer, lymph nodes may swell or enlarge as they work to filter out the “bad” cells. If a cancer cells leaves the breast, the first place it travels to is the underarm lymph node region on the same side as the affected breast. This can lead to swelling in this area. In addition to swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, a person may notice them around the collarbone. They usually feel like small, firm swollen lumps and may be tender to the touch. However, lymph tissue may also change due to breast infections or other completely unrelated illnesses. Any change discovered in lymph nodes near the breast should be evaluated by a doctor right away.
5. Nipple retraction or inversion
Besides nipple discharge, breast cancer can also cause cell changes behind the nipple. These changes can result in nipple inverting and reversing inward into the breast, or it may look different in terms of its size. Possible other causes of nipple retraction or inversion could be changes occurring during ovulation or menstruation but to know for sure of the cause, this needs to be seen by a doctor.
6. Redness of the skin
Another skin change of a possible sign of breast cancer is the appearance of discoloration or even bruising in which breast skin may look red, purple or having a bluish tint. If the skin discoloration is not due to recent trauma to the breast, it needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Even if the discoloration was caused by trauma but it is not going away after sufficient time, it should still be looked at.
7. Swelling
Anytime it is noticed that an area of the breast or the entire breast is swollen or there is a distinct and noticeable difference in size between the breasts, this could be a sign of breast cancer. Although it is possible for people to have breasts that are slightly different in size at all times, any unusual swelling would cause a change from their usual breast size. Tightness of the breast along with the swelling may also be noticed.