Breast Cancer Symptoms: What Every Woman Should Know

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a good reminder to focus on your breast health. 

At The Healthy Woman, we believe that education is your best defense. From our comfortable, welcoming offices in Snellville, Lawrenceville, Atlanta, and Conyers, Georgia, our dedicated team provides comprehensive Womens Healthcare including routine clinical breast exams to help you stay proactive in the fight against breast cancer.

Understanding breast cancer symptoms is essential for every woman. While many early-stage breast cancers don't cause any physical changes at first, knowing what to look for can save your life.

What are the warning signs of breast cancer besides a lump?

You may have been told to feel for lumps when you perform a self-exam on your breasts. But you should take a closer look, using a mirror, and watch for changes in appearance, too.

Other warning signs include skin dimpling, sudden nipple retraction, and spontaneous fluid discharge from a single duct. While a painless lump is the most well-known sign, other physical changes in your breast tissue require immediate evaluation. 

For instance, a condition called peau d'orange causes the skin on the breast to look swollen, red, and pitted, resembling an orange peel. This happens when cancer cells block the tiny lymphatic vessels in the skin. The fluid buildup causes the skin to swell outward, while the breast's internal ligaments pull inward, creating distinct dimples.

Another symptom to watch for is pathologic nipple discharge, which is fluid that leaks spontaneously from only one breast. It may be clear or bloody. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you seek an evaluation by a healthcare professional immediately if you notice any new, unusual discharge or changes to nipple shape.

When should you start screening for breast cancer?

It’s never too early to start performing self-exams on your breasts, and you should do them every month. When you visit The Healthy Woman for routine gynecological care, your provider performs an exam and can talk you through it.

You should start routine breast cancer screenings — mammograms, which are low-dose X-rays of the breast — at age 40 if you’re at average risk for the disease.

The updated guidelines recommend that women should begin biennial (every two years) screening mammograms at 40 rather than waiting until age 50. This important shift in medical consensus is projected to avert up to 1.8 additional breast cancer deaths per 1,000 women screened, helping to save nearly 20% more lives overall.

Starting early allows us to catch potential issues before you can feel them during an exam.

Your breast health is too important to ignore. Whether you need to schedule your annual clinical breast exam or want to discuss unusual changes, we’re here to support you. Please schedule a visit with our team at The Healthy Woman today to take charge of your health.