Mammogram Misses One in Ten Tumours: 9 Warning Signs of Early Breast Cancer

1. Peeling, scaling, or flaking on your breasts or the skin around your nipples.

Don’t immediately be alarmed if you notice peeling, scaling, or flaking on your breasts or the skin around your nipples, because it can also be a symptom of atopic dermatitis, eczema, or another skin condition. Your doctor may run tests to rule out other diseases.

2. Breast or nipple pain

Breast cancer can manifest as “scattered, seed like” tumors that spread small tentacles throughout breast tissue. So if you feel any unusual aches or pains in your chest, including occasional throbbing, pain, or even fluctuating discomfort, talk to your health care provider.

3. A lump in the breast or armpit.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a tender, soft, or rounded lump. But a benign tumor or cyst can also cause lumps. So make sure to consult a doctor if you find any unusual changes.

4. Clear or bloody fluid coming from the nipple.

A milky discharge from the nipples is common when you’re breastfeeding, but you shouldn’t ignore a clear and bloody discharge if you aren’t breastfeeding.

5. Changes in the size and shape of the breast

A change in size around the time of your menstrual cycle is normal, but breast swelling at times other than your menstrual cycle isn’t. In that case, talk to your doctor.

6. Persistent pain in your spinal column, upper back, and even neck.

Sometimes tumors developing in a woman’s breast can put pressure on the ribs and spine, causing persistent pain in your spinal column, upper back, and even neck. Talk to your doctor if you feel the pain is caused by pressure from a possible internal growth.

7. Inverted nipple

Inverted nipple means that the nipple is pulled into the breast instead of pointing outward. Some women normally have a flat nipple that looks inverted, while other women develop one over time. For the latter, talk to your doctor if you notice a newly inverted nipple.

8. Redness of your breast or nipple

Redness or a skin rash on your breast is an early symptom of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The rash may resemble clusters of insect bites, and would normally be itchy.

9. Pitting breast skin

For inflammatory breast cancer, you may also notice dimpling or pitting, and the skin on your breast may begin to look like an orange peel due to underlying inflammation.

10. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Many of the breast cancer symptoms can also be symptoms of other diseases, and only your doctor can tell for sure. Be sure to talk to your doctor if any of those symptoms appear.