One in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer: Early signs

Breast cancer, which is commonly seen among women, is second in the list of cancers that take the most lives. According to the American Cancer Society, around 3,16,950 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in the US alone. Among them, 42,170 patients had succumbed to the disease. One in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer, while one in 43 dies of it. A lump on the breast is usually the first sign of cancer, while many other symptoms may also appear. Meanwhile, some of these symptoms could be mistaken for different diseases. Breast cancer could be caught early and treated if these symptoms are correctly identified.

Changes on skin
Changes in the skin on the breast, such as redness, skin thickening, flakiness, or scaly skin, are likely to be ignored as mere skin conditions. However, these may be symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), which is rare but severe. They could also indicate an infection. If these symptoms persist, do not hesitate to consult a health care practitioner to rule out the risk of breast cancer.

Nipple discharge
Colourless or bloody discharge from the nipples may be a sign of breast cancer, although nipple discharge is common during pregnancy or the breastfeeding phase. Nipple discharges in people who do not breastfeed or are not pregnant require immediate medical attention.

Nipple inversion
Nipple inversion could be a symptom of a tumour. It could be seen on either one or both breasts. Meanwhile, these changes may be sudden and unexpected. So, consult a doctor immediately if you notice this symptom.

Persistent breast pain
Hormonal changes can cause breast pain and are not generally related to cancer. However, if you feel persistent pain at a particular spot on the breast and it doesn’t fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, then consulting a medical practitioner would be the best idea, as it may be a sign of a cancerous lump.

Severe fatigue
Severe fatigue despite taking sufficient rest may be a sign of breast cancer. If you still feel tired after sleeping well, your body may struggle to fight the disease.
Changes in the size and shape of breasts
Breast cancer can cause changes in the size and shape of the breasts. It happens due to inflammation or changes in the tissue structure caused by the tumour.

Swelling or lumps on the shoulder blades or underarms
Swelling or lumps over the shoulder blades or underarms may indicate that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Swollen lymphatic glands could be a symptom of breast cancer even if you don’t notice any lumps on your breasts.

Itching and swelling
Severe itching and swelling could be a symptom of Paget’s Disease, a rare type of cancer that typically affects the nipples and the areola. Scaly skin and itchiness may be indicators of this disease.

Back pain and shoulder pain
Shoulder pain and severe pain on the upper back may be an early sign of breast cancer. It could also indicate that the cancer has spread to the bones or nerves of shoulder and back.
Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained weight loss is a symptom of breast cancer or any other type of cancer. The body may be using extra energy to fight cancer, causing rapid weight loss.