While most people are familiar with the classic warning signs of breast cancer, like lumps, skin puckering, or changes in the nipple, there are also lesser-known symptoms that can be just as important to recognize.
Some may seem harmless but should never be ignored.
Leaking nipple
If you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding and notice fluid leaking from one or both nipples, it could, in rare cases, be an early sign of breast cancer.
However, it’s more often caused by hormonal changes, such as high prolactin levels leading to galactorrhea. Always consult your doctor if this occurs.
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Bloody nipple discharge
Finding blood on your nipple or in your bra can be alarming.
In some cases, it can be linked to breast cancer, but more often it’s harmless, caused by conditions like intraductal papilloma (noncancerous growths) or friction from tight clothing.
If it happens repeatedly, talk to your doctor.
Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes help your body fight infection, but they can also swell in response to cancer.
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In breast cancer, this may appear as swelling near the armpit or collarbone, sometimes before a lump in the breast can be felt.
Persistent swelling should always be checked by a healthcare professional.
Itchy nipple
Itching around the nipple is usually harmless, but in rare cases, it may signal Paget’s disease, a rare form of breast cancer that starts on the nipple and spreads to the areola.
Symptoms include redness, flaking, thickened skin, and flattening of the nipple. If itching doesn’t go away with regular treatment, see your doctor.
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Tender, swollen breasts
Breast tenderness or swelling often stems from infection, but it can also indicate inflammatory breast cancer.
This rare and aggressive form doesn’t always form a lump; instead, the breast may quickly become red, warm, swollen, or dimpled like an orange peel.
Noticeable skin changes
Redness, thickening, or dimpling of the breast skin can signal lymphatic blockage caused by cancer cells. Any lasting skin change should be examined by a doctor.
Inverted nipple
If your nipple suddenly turns inward, it may indicate tissue changes behind the nipple.
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While it isn’t always cancer, new or sudden inversions should always be investigated.
Unexplained pain
Breast pain is often due to hormonal fluctuations or muscle tension, but ongoing or unexplained discomfort can be an early warning sign of cancer and shouldn’t be ignored.
Changes in size or shape
If one breast changes shape or size without an obvious reason, it could indicate abnormal tissue growth.
Pay attention to asymmetry or changes that develop gradually over time.
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Color or temperature changes
A breast that feels unusually warm or turns reddish or purplish may suggest inflammatory breast cancer. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Know your breasts
Instead of monthly self-exams, experts now recommend “breast awareness.”
Get to know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can spot changes early and act quickly if something seems off.
This article is based on information from WebMD.com.