Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Common breast cancer symptoms include the following:
- Breast lumps
- Puckering or dimpling that gives the breast skin an orange peel appearance
- An increase in size in one or both breasts that is not associated with your menstrual cycle
- A lump under the arm
- Nipple discharge
- Inverted nipple
- A rash or eczema on the breast
If you practise breast awareness, noticing breast changes and routinely checking for lumps, then you are likely to find breast cancer at an early stage.
Is pain an early symptom of breast cancer?
Pain is unlikely to be a symptom of breast cancer and is more likely to be caused by hormonal changes.
Musculoskeletal issues, including arthritis, may also cause breast pain.
Breast cancer lumps are usually painless.
Be breast aware: checking your breasts.
We recommend that women check their breasts mid-month, between their periods.
Check the whole breast, compressing the breast tissue to feel for lumps, thickening, or any other abnormality.
If you stand in front of the mirror as you examine your breasts, you will become accustomed to their appearance and more likely to notice any changes.
Always attend breast screening appointments, as mammograms are an excellent way to detect lumps that are too small to be detected by manual examination.
What should I do if I notice breast symptoms?
It is important to remember that most breast lumps are benign.
Many other conditions cause breast lumps, and many are found to be harmless cysts or fibroadenomas.
However, all lumps and abnormalities should be investigated.
What is my risk of breast cancer?
It is also essential to understand your own risk factors for breast cancer.
Age
The risk of breast cancer increases with age, and the majority of breast cancers occur in women over the age of fifty.
Lifestyle factors
Obesity, low levels of activity and excessive alcohol consumption are linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Family History
A family history of breast cancer, particularly in close female relatives who are premenopausal at the time of their diagnosis, may mean you have a heightened risk.
Specific rare genetic mutations can put women at higher risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
Male breast cancer
Although male breast cancer is rare, it does occur. A lump or painless thickening in the chest area should always be investigated.
Diagnostic tests to identify breast cancer
If you find a lump, your medical practitioner will refer you for tests.
Depending on your age and the nature of the abnormality, you may have an MRI scan, a mammogram or an ultrasound scan.
Further tests
It may be necessary to have additional tests to provide an accurate diagnosis and determine further treatment.
These may include:
Biopsy
A biopsy is often performed to confirm a cancer diagnosis. This involves the removal of breast tissue, frequently using an ultrafine needle.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
As breast cancer spreads, it invades the lymph nodes under the arm. Removing cells from sentinel nodes can indicate whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue.
Genetic testing
Genetic testing may also be offered to detect genetic mutations that may have caused your cancer.
Breast cancer treatment at Birmingham Breast Group
The multidisciplinary team at our specialist breast clinic provides rapid and accurate diagnosis of breast lumps.
When breast cancer treatment is required, our breast cancer specialists offer a full range of highly effective therapies tailored to your needs.
We treat breast cancer with a bespoke treatment plan for every patient that may include targeted therapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatment or chemotherapy.
Our surgical team offers lumpectomies, mastectomy procedures and breast reconstruction surgery.
Further breast cancer information
If you are concerned about changes in your breast or would like to find out more about breast cancer and the treatments that we offer, browse our website here.
