Know The Early Signs Of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a common cancer in the United States. Each year 232,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. With these staggering numbers, we all need to become aware of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Most of us think of breast cancer as a women’s disease. Yes, breast cancer does affect mostly women. What we often forget is that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Men and women have breast tissue that develops differently in our physical appearances.

For men and women to know and be on the lookout for symptoms and more obvious signs of this horrible disease, is an important step to eradicating breast cancer. Knowledge of the early signs can help patients not waste precious time and become a survivor of breast cancer.

EARLY SIGNS IN WOMEN

Women are always told to check for lumps at home and have mammograms on a regular schedule. This is good advice, but there are other signs we need to look for. These early signs include:

 Breast pain that does not go away

 Changes in the shape of the nipple

 A new lump that doesn’t go away

 Nipple discharge (may be red, brown, yellow, or clear)

 Swelling or lump under your collarbone or arm

 Redness, swelling, skin irritation, rash, or itchiness on or around the breast

EARLY SIGNS IN MEN

It is important to note again, that men can have breast cancer. Because of breast cancer in women being more prominent, men are not usually diagnosed until later. Early signs men should look for are:

 Thickening of the breast tissue

 Nipple retracts

 Irritation of the nipple or surrounding skin, redness, or rash on or around the breast

 Skin that is scaly or redness in the nipple area.

While we continue to search for a cure, men and women alike should look at their bodies for any of these symptoms. Let’s develop survivor stories because we are aware!