Your breasts change over your lifetime and breast health is every woman’s responsibility. The first step towards taking care of your breast is getting to know how they normally feel and look. Everybody should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and once an abnormality is discovered, you should see a doctor. In its early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. But as the tumor grow, most people will notice one or two of the following breast cancer symptoms:
- Change in how the breast or nipple feels
- Pain and tenderness in the nipple
- Lump near the breast or underarm area that persists after your menstrual cycle
- Enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast – Change in skin texture
- Change of appearance in the breast or nipple
- Nipple retraction, dimpling, itching or ulceration
- Unexplained swelling or shrinkage of breast
- Skin becomes scaly, red or swollen (pitted surface, like the skin of an orange)
- Unusual nipple discharge – clear or bloody
- Milky discharge present when the woman is not breastfeeding.
In most cases the above symptoms are not due to cancer and the breast lumps are not always cancerous. In some cases, you might have fibrocystic breast instead where the breast tissue are lumpy, as the lumps are filled with fluid cysts rather than mass of cells. Fibrocystic breasts are not usually linked to breast cancer.
Should I be concerned if I have breast pain in one or both breasts?
Breast pain alone is not a sign of breast cancer. Breast pain may occur for a number of reasons, which are harmless. It can be due to changes in hormones level during puberty, menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, 1st trimester of pregnancy, initial breastfeeding, and menopause. Fibrocystic breast changes are also common cause of breast pain. Although there is no need to worry, it is still important to go for regular screenings and do your own breast self-examination. As soon as you discover any lumps, persistent pain or changes that look abnormal, you should consult a doctor so that it can be properly diagnosed and treated early.
If you or a loved one would like to undergo a breast screening or mammogram, call our friendly medical concierge at +65 6679 7867 or email us at customercare@tmcg.com.sg and we will be on hand to assist you.