5 Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer EVERY Girl Needs to Look Out For

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month, so make sure you recognise the signs before it's too late.

21 March, 2018
5 Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer EVERY Girl Needs to Look Out For

You've heard the stats, but somehow you never quite believe it'll happen to you.

Despite that, 150 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. That equates to about one person every ten minutes - it's a lot.

So during this Breast Cancer Awareness month, we asked Joanna Franks, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon at the Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, to give us a heads up about early signs and symptoms of the disease.

If you notice any of the below changes, don't ignore them. As Joanna points out, "new symptoms must be investigated. The chances are it's nothing serious, but you're not wasting anyone's time by getting it checked out. Early diagnosis has helped to increase survival rates, and breast awareness (or recognising changes in your breasts) is key."

Here's what to look out for:

1. If your breast turns bright red and hot

This can be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. This maybe mistaken for an infection, which can delay diagnosis.

2. If the texture of the skin around the breast changes or becomes pitted

Puckering or dimpling of the skin can indicate the presence of cancer before a lump is visible. The tumour inside the breast can cause pulling on the surrounding skin.

3. Itchiness or rashes around the nipple area

This can indicate a rare type of breast cancer called Paget's disease. The symptoms, an itchy red rash, can look similar to eczema.

4. Bleeding or discharge from the nipple

Discharge from the nipple may be a symptom of some forms of breast cancer. The likelihood is greater if your nipple discharge is bloodstained or accompanied by a lump.

5. A pulled-in or inverted nipple

A new change to the nipple including inversion (the nipple turning in) could indicate that a lump is behind the nipple. This may become more obvious with raising your arm.

And another word of advice from Joanna...

It's important for women to check their breasts at least once a month. But I hear time and again that women aren't confident of examining their breasts; they're not sure of what they're looking for, they don't like how their breasts feel or they are unsure when in their menstrual cycle is the best time. Breast tissue is hormonally sensitive and it does change over time. To spot an early change in the breast it helps to be comfortable with your own body and have a familiar 'road map' of your own breasts.

This month, for Breast Cancer Awareness month, The Wellington Hospital is offering a 20% discount on mammograms for women. You have to be over the age of 40 and registered with a GP. It doesn't have to be with a Wellington GP, it could be an NHS GP. You have to call +44 (0)20 3504 4170 and quote OCTMAMM16 to receive your 20% discount.

Anyone who is concerned about any symptoms or changes to their breasts should seek medical assessment.

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Credit: Cosmopolitan
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