How to Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms.
Over the course of a woman's lifetime, she may experience breast changes.
While many end up being nothing to worry about, it's important to have any changes that you
notice checked by a doctor -- just to be on the safe side.
Here are the potential breast cancer symptoms to watch out for.
You will need Monthly self-exams Attention to breast changes Medical exam and annual
mammograms at age 40.
This video does not replace actual medical advice.
Always consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.
Step 1.
Start performing a monthly self-exam as soon as your breasts are fully developed.
Checking yourself regularly is important -- you need to know what your breasts feel like normally
so you can recognize any changes.
Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to
be swollen and tender.
If you're no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the
first or last day of the month.
Keep in mind that it's not uncommon for breasts to feel lumpy due to benign fibrocystic breast
disease, cysts, scar tissue, infections, and other causes that have nothing to do with
cancer.
For instructions on how to do a breast self-exam properly, go to "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/.
Step 2.
Know what you're feeling for: a lump that feels different from your breast's normal
lumpiness, like discovering a pebble in your oatmeal.
Though many lumps are benign, anything that feels new or odd should be checked by your
doctor -- even if you've recently had a clean mammogram.
Check for lumps in your armpits, too.
Cancerous lumps are more likely to be hard, painless, and unmovable.
Step 3.
Look for visible changes, like dimpled, puckered, thickened, reddened, or scaly breast skin,
or a flattening or indentation on the breast.
All are potential breast cancer symptoms that should be evaluated.
Step 4.
Recognize the nipple changes that can indicate breast cancer -- pain; redness; scaliness;
itching; skin thickening; the nipple turning inward; or discharge other than breast milk.
Step 5.
See your doctor about swelling in all or part of your breast, or breast pain.
Though swelling and soreness are usually no cause for concern, these symptoms can be signs
of a rare but aggressive form of the disease known as inflammatory breast cancer.
Step 6.
Have your doctor perform a breast examination at your yearly check-up, and begin annual
mammograms at age 40.
If you have a family history of the disease, tell your doctor: they may suggest that you
start having mammograms at an earlier age.
Knowing the signs of breast cancer -- and being proactive about knowing how to recognize
them early -- is the best way to protect yourself.
Did you know In a "Breastcancer.org":http://www.breastcancer.org/ survey of more than 2,200 women, 37 percent
said they first detected their breast cancer with a self-exam.