8 Early Signs Of Breast Cancer Doctors Want You To Know About
Your boobs and you both deserve the best care.
byJR Thorpe
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The lumps are the early symptoms of breast cancer you’re familiar with. But the condition can show up in other ways, too: Breast cancer can manifest in the body as dimpling skin, strange nipple discharges, rashes, changes in breast shape, and other lesser-known symptoms. The important thing is to note any odd new developments on your nipples or breasts, even if you don’t feel any lumps — they could turn out to be an early signal that all isn’t well.
“It’s important to become familiar with your own body and be able to recognize any changes,” Dr. Janet Yeh M.D., a breast surgeon at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, tells Bustle. She stresses the importance of getting mammograms done starting at age 40, or even earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer. Even if you're not having mammograms just yet, knowing what's "normal" for your chest and what's not will help you notice when something changes or isn’t quite right.
Early signs of breast cancer show up when the cancer is new, and may not have developed to a more advanced stage that requires more intensive treatment. It's important to try to catch them early because it significantly increases your chances of successfully beating it. Breast cancer that's found and treated when it's still stage 1A (a cancer smaller than a peanut that hasn't spread anywhere) has a five-year relative survival rate of 100%, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
A lump or bloody nipples don’t immediately mean you're sick, but it’s sensible to be cautious, pay attention, and try to schedule a chat with a medical professional if anything concerns you. One of the best things you can do to increase your odds of breast cancer early: Get to know your own boobs! Know their shape, their size, their feel, their look, and don’t dismiss any noticeable changes.