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The first sign of cancer that a woman usually notices is a lump, which is how more than eighty percent of all breast cancer cases are discovered. If the lump can be felt, it has most likely been growing for several years. This type of lump feels noticeably different from the other breast tissue. More frequently today, due to the increased number of women choosing to have a mammogram at a younger age, masses are found when they are much smaller, when they cannot be felt yet by doing a self exam.
Other unusual changes that may indicate cancer, but could also be due to another issue, are dimpling of the skin, unusual changes in the shape or size of one breast, discharge from only one nipple or a newly inverted nipple. When a nipple begins to flake and have pain and burning or itching, this is known as Paget’s Disease which is a type of breast cancer not linked to hormones. When cancer grows in the small vessels that lie directly below the thin breast skin, this is type of breast cancer known as Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and it makes the skin resemble the dimples of an orange peel and is also not linked to hormones.
Any unusual changes in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or strange sensations in the breast should be reported to the doctor at the next scheduled visit, but it is important to remember that changes do occur in the breast tissue that are unrelated to cancer. Some perfectly normal changes include general lumpiness, generalized breast pain, abcesses, discharge from the nipple, inflamed blood vessels, fat necrosis, cysts (which are sacs that fill with fluid occassionally) and certain painless lumps that can be moved around under the skin. It is always best to talk with the doctor about any new symptom if even for no other reason than to gain peace of mind.