When we talk about breast cancer, most people immediately think of a “lump” or a thickening. Yes, this is indeed one of the warning signs. But not the only one. At the Sumy Regional Clinical Oncology Center, we remind people every day: early diagnosis can save lives. And to seek help in time, you need to know what exactly may be a sign of the disease. Not only women but also men should know this. Breast cancer also affects men, although much less often.
🔍 What to watch for:
◾ Itching and redness of the skin of the breast. Especially if the skin around the nipple has become hot, swollen, painful or inflamed. Such changes may indicate an inflammatory process or rare forms of cancer, such as Paget’s disease.
◾ Dimples, retraction, “orange peel” skin. Indented areas, unusual wrinkles or thickening of the skin are a signal to get examined immediately. Such changes are often caused by the effect of a tumor on the tissues.
◾ A change in the size or shape of one breast. If you notice asymmetry that is not related to your menstrual cycle or pregnancy, do not put off a visit to a breast specialist.
◾ An inverted or changed nipple. It used to point outward, and now its position or appearance has changed? This may indicate that a tumor has affected deeper layers of tissue.
◾ Nipple discharge. Brown, reddish or blood-tinged discharge is especially dangerous. Even a small amount of such discharge requires medical attention.
◾ Pain in the back, shoulder or collarbone. A less obvious but important symptom. A tumor can spread and affect nerves or bone tissue, causing pain in unexpected places.
◾ A lump in the armpit. Lymph nodes are the body’s first “alarm system.” If you feel a firm lump in your armpit, see a specialist even before any symptoms appear in the breast.
‼️ Many of these symptoms appear only at later stages. Patients often ignore them for a long time, blaming fatigue, stress, uncomfortable underwear or seasonal changes. But cancer does not wait. The sooner you see a doctor, the better your chances of avoiding aggressive treatment and staying healthy.