Detect breast cancer symptoms to stay ahead of breast cancer
When it comes to detecting breast cancer, it's important to remember that no two people are exactly the same. What's normal for one person may not be for another. Many women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven and factors such as menstruation, childbirth, weight changes and certain medications can affect the appearance and feel of your breasts. Additionally, breasts tend to change with age. Knowing what is normal for you is key to detecting breast cancer symptoms early.
By performing monthly breast self-exams, you'll become more familiar with your breasts and can more easily spot any unusual changes. It's also important to remember that regular mammograms, as your healthcare provider recommends, are an essential part of breast health. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer in men?
The signs of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women. These may include a painless lump or thickened area in the breast tissue, skin changes over the breast like dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling, changes in the nipple such as redness or scaling, a nipple that starts to turn inward, and nipple discharge.
What does a lump in your breast mean?
A breast lump can happen for many reasons, including harmless conditions or something more serious. Some common causes are fibroadenoma, a noncancerous lump that feels rubbery and can move, often found in young women; breast cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that might be painful or hard to notice and often change with a woman’s period; and breast abscesses, a collection of pus in the breast tissue. An abscess is a common complication of a mastitis, an infection in the breast tissue that typically occurs in breastfeeding women. Mastitis can make the breast red, warm and sore. Hormonal changes during a menstrual cycle can also cause lumps. Even though most breast lumps are harmless, it's important to see a doctor, especially after menopause.
When should you see a doctor for symptoms of breast cancer?
If you have a lump or are experiencing another symptom that doesn’t feel normal for you, call your doctor right away.
You may need tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound, to help determine what’s causing the symptoms. These and other tests for breast cancer can help identify breast cancer regardless of symptoms, which means you can start treatment as soon as possible.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, behind skin cancer. With regular screening, the condition can be identified early before symptoms appear. Most women should begin annual screening mammograms at age 40, but some women who have a higher risk may need them earlier or more frequently than once per year.
People at increased risk for breast cancer
Some women have a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer. For those women, relying on symptoms could mean that cancer goes undetected for too long. They may benefit from earlier or more frequent breast cancer screenings or from genetic testing that can tell them if they have inherited gene mutations that put them at risk.
Talk to your primary care physician or OBGYN about screening or genetic testing if you:
- Have a family history of breast cancer, especially in a first-degree relative, such as a mother or sister
- Have a personal history of breast cancer
- Received radiation to your chest early in life
Breast cancer screening locations near you
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. Several of our locations in North and Central Texas offer mammograms to detect breast cancer before you have symptoms.
