10 Breast Cancer Warning Signs

Early diagnosis is essential to reduce the effects of the disease; it is very important to pay attention to the first symptoms, which often go unnoticed.

Most people ignore the body’s signals to warn them that something is wrong. While it’s true that you shouldn’t always be startled by every symptom, you shouldn’t ignore them completely either. They can be an indication of a serious health problem. As is the case with breast cancer warning signs.

Experts indicate that early detection in breast cancer is the most effective way to combat the disease and increase the chance of survival.

However, these early warning signs of breast cancer are often ignored. Thus, the disease is only detected at a more advanced stage.

Being familiar with the first symptoms of breast cancer is a preventive measure to detect the disease early. So keep reading to learn 10 breast cancer warning signs.

Breast Cancer Warning Signs

Unexplained Weight Loss

For many women, sudden weight loss can seem like a miracle. Often women are constantly looking for a way to lose weight or at least maintain a healthy waist size.

However, instead of joy, this symptom should be cause for concern. Sudden loss of five or more pounds is one of the first signs of breast cancer.

Fatigue

Fatigue at the end of the day or during exercise or a stressful situation is common. The risk comes when the fatigue is chronic. You stay tired even though you rested.

Abnormal Bleeding

Any unexpected bleeding could be warning signs of breast cancer or other diseases. In general, however, people with this disease see a small amount of blood coming out of the nipple.

Lumps

Breast screening for warning signs of breast cancer

Most nodules are benign, but equally alarming. The skin of the breast may also show changes. The symptoms to be aware of are:

redness
To swear
Changes in color
Cellulite or ‘orange peel’

Nipple retraction

When examining your breasts, it is also important to check the nipples closely. See if they look normal and have not changed in appearance. Nipple retraction is one of the most obvious warning signs of breast cancer.

Chest pain

In the first phase it sometimes happens that you feel pain or tension in (one of) the breasts. When the disease has progressed further, it is very common to experience tenderness and pain in the breasts without touching them. Of course, this pain should not be confused with the pain and tenderness that can occur during PMS or mastitis.

Breast Size Changes

Woman looking for breast cancer warning signs

Noticing changes in breast size is also very important for early breast cancer detection. If a breast looks inflamed or shrinks in size, it could be a sign that immediate medical attention is needed.

Nipple discharge

Sometimes discharge from the nipple is not a problem and disappears on its own within a few days. However, in many cases of this disease, it is one of the symptoms. Women with breast cancer report a foul-smelling discharge from one or both nipples.

Irregularities

Noticing changes in the shape or structure of the breast is also one way to detect cancer early. Irregularities in size, redness or small holes in the skin are obvious symptoms of this disease.

What are some of the risk factors?

Breast cancer mainly affects women. However, it is also possible for it to develop in men. The main risk factors include:

Be a woman of 55 years or older.
A family history of breast cancer.
If you had your first menstrual period before the age of 12.
Going through late or early menopause.
Obesity.
Never had children.