10 Signs of Breast Cancer

(Tina Dawn/ VM Med) — Research shows that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. But when detected early, before the cancer spreads, the five-year survival rate among breast cancer patients is an astounding 99 percent.

With October just around the corner and being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a good opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of breast cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

When most people think of breast cancer, they usually think of discovering a lump in the breast. While detecting a breast lump is certainly something that requires further testing to ensure it’s not malignant, there are many more signs that could potentially be pointing to a breast cancer diagnosis. Knowing how to recognize these signs could be the difference between making an early –potentially, life-saving– diagnosis and a full recovery or detecting it much later, when the road is much steeper. The benefits of early detection cannot be overestimated.

A breast cancer lump isn’t always the first sign

The lack of knowledge that the average person has of the most common signs of breast cancer is concerning when one realizes that most cases of breast cancer are not detected by finding a lump at all.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, which merged its operations with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in 2017, many women don’t even display any noticeable symptoms at all in the early stages and symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. There are, however, certain signs that should be cause for concern and should motivate people to seek further tests and an ultrasound from their medical practitioner.

One of the main reasons doctors recommend breast self-examinations is so women become familiarized with what the “normal” shape and feel of their breasts is so they can easily detect any abnormalities.

With an estimated 27,900 Canadians diagnosed with breast cancer annually, this is as good a time as any to familiarize yourself with most of the common symptoms.

The 10 most common signs of breast cancer are:

·   Breast lumps. In most cases breast lumps are not malignant, but rather benign cysts, signs of fibrocystic breasts, or fibroadenomas, which occasionally temporarily appear before menopause with hormonal changes and usually go away on their own. But in many cases, breast lumps are a sign of breast cancer. Lumps can also be a sign of Paget’s disease; a rare type of breast cancer that is treatable—especially when it’s detected early. This is why it’s important to always see your doctor if you notice one and to always have regular mammograms.

·   Pain. In most cases, painful breasts can simply be a sign of hormonal changes before your period or menopause. But if you experience persistent pain, have it checked out.

·   Increased tenderness or a burning sensation in your breast or nipple area could be the first sign of inflammatory breast cancer. Always have it checked out.

·   Retracted, inverted or downward-pointing nipple can be a sign of breast cancer or a tumour that you can’t see. See your doctor to be sure.

·   Nipple discharge may occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are completely benign. Pregnancy breastfeeding, dermatitis or hormonal changes can also cause nipple discharge and changes, so don’t be alarmed, be proactive and book an appointment.

·   Swelling in your armpit is usually a sign your autoimmune system is fighting something. It’s not always serious, but if you’re experiencing a combination of fever, or redness, and you detect swelling in your armpit and breast area, you should see your healthcare provider.

·   A burning sensation. Again, in most cases, feeling a burning sensation could be the result of many different things, among them an allergic reaction or nipple thrush or irritation from breastfeeding. But if you’re experiencing a burning sensation in addition to other symptoms like fever or redness or obvious changes in your nipples, it could be a sign of something more.

·   A rash. Once again, a rash on your breast could occur from a variety of non-malignant sources. You could develop a rash from allergies to your detergent or your clothes, from breastfeeding or a fungal infection. Mastitis, which is infected breast tissue after milk gets trapped in your milk ducts, is very common among women breastfeeding and can cause rashes, pain, and fever. But a persistent red, scaly rash on your breast could also be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, a form of the disease that can grow quickly, often in weeks or months.

·   Breast changes such as your breasts suddenly looking different in shape, size, and texture to what you’re used to. Even a change in temperature of your breast could be signaling something is wrong.

·   Visible veins on the breast can also be a sign of breast cancer. In most cases, noticeably veiny breasts can indicate rare and benign conditions, like Mondor’s disease, but sometimes veins are a sign of breast cancer. 

Remaining vigilant of all possible signs of breast cancer

While women are the demographic that overwhelmingly experience breast cancer, it’s also important to be aware that about 1 percent of breast cancers also happen in men. Some of the symptoms are similar to the signs of breast cancer in women, with most of the signs presenting as nipple changes. But because it’s so rare, men may not pay attention to the symptoms until the cancer has grown. If breast cancer runs in a man’s family it’s important to be vigilant.

The main rule of thumb is this: because breast cancer doesn’t always exhibit clear warning signs, you need to ensure that routine mammograms are part of your breast health. Regular annual appointments and screening are important for catching breast cancers at their earliest and most treatable stages.

While the Canadian Task Force on Preventative HealthCare does not recommend regular screenings for women under 50 who are of average risk, the Canadian Cancer Society has called for breast screening to routinely begin at age 40, a target that many provinces and territories are already moving toward. It’s important that each woman make that decision individually with her medical practitioner, based on her medical and family history and her risk factors.

With so many women diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to remain vigilant and ensure that breast self-examinations are a normal and routine part of one’s healthcare.

As soon as you notice a change in your breasts –no matter what that change may be—don’t hesitate to see your healthcare provider.

VM Med’s Breast Center is the largest private breast centre in Canada and an internationally recognized leader in breast cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The clinic conducts comprehensive exams performed by a specialist. The clinic’s services include breast imaging, breast biopsy, breast surgery, breast cancer staging, breast oncology, and breast cancer genetic testing.

For more information, you can read our extensive archive of VM-Med blogs, including the many causes of painful or tender breasts and how to perform a breast self-examination.

Still have questions? Book a consultation with our experts.