What are the early symptoms of breast cancer? 15 common early signs of breast cancer

As we all know, breast cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate, which seriously threatens women's health index. Since the female breast is composed of skin, fibrous tissue, mammary gland and fat, breast cancer is a malignant tumor of mammary epithelial tissue. The incidence rate of women is as high as 99%, while the incidence rate of men is only 1%. Therefore, it is particularly important to prevent early breast cancer. Today we will tell you the 15 early symptoms of breast cancer, and I hope everyone will not touch it.

15 Early Signs of Breast Cancer

1. Skin changes

The most common skin change is that the pectoralis majora ligament loses its previous elasticity, which usually spreads to other parts and also appears as a dimple-like depression. Therefore, when such changes are found in the skin, we must pay attention and it is recommended to go to a specialist hospital for a relevant physical examination to determine whether there is breast cancer.

Breast lumps

Breast lumps are one of the most common early symptoms of breast cancer. The first symptom for many patients is accidentally touching a breast lump, or discovering a breast lump during a physical examination, which is common in lumps in the outer quadrant of the breast. If the breast lump caused by breast cancer feels hard, has unclear boundaries, and has poor mobility, it is easier to distinguish it from a lump caused by breast hyperplasia or breast nodules, most of which are painless lumps, and only a few will feel tingling.

3. Abnormalities in the nipples and areolas

When breast cancer is deep in or close to the nipple, it can cause nipple retraction. If it is farther away, it may appear elevated or retracted, and may also manifest as symptoms such as itching or erosion of the skin. Therefore, do not underestimate these symptoms, which may be symptoms of breast cancer.

4. Nipple asymmetry

Generally speaking, nipple asymmetry is divided into congenital asymmetry and acquired asymmetry. Congenital breast asymmetry is caused by puberty hormones. Acquired asymmetry is caused by feeding habits during lactation. However, we should be alert that breast cancer can also cause breast asymmetry to a certain extent. If there is a tumor around the nipple, the nipple will be affected and the level of the two sides of the nipple will change.

It is recommended to go to a specialist hospital for necessary examinations.

5. Nipple leaks

If a woman is not pregnant or has stopped breastfeeding for more than half a year and milk is leaking, it may be breast cancer. It is recommended that she go to a specialist hospital for a comprehensive examination to find out the cause.

Changes in nipples

Changes in the nipple are particularly common among the symptoms of breast cancer. Generally speaking, the nipple of a normal person protrudes from the surface. If you have breast cancer, the nipple area will be invaded by cancer cells, causing the nipple duct to be pulled, causing the nipple duct to be inverted or deviated to one side, or even completely sunk into the areola. When the large ducts in the breast are invaded and shortened, it can also cause the nipple to rise. If these symptoms occur, you must go to a specialist hospital for a detailed examination and treatment as soon as possible.

7. Itchy nipples

Redness and swelling of the nipples Itching and swelling of the nipples are one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. Although itching of the breasts is normal, if the breasts continue to itch for a long time, you may need to check. The patient's nipples will definitely have some changes, sometimes showing redness and heat. Because the symptoms are not obvious, many patients can easily ignore these symptoms, but this usually happens before the malignancy begins to change the texture and appearance of the skin.

Breast vein dilation

Usually, breast cancer lumps will significantly enlarge and spread rapidly in a very short period of time. The skin will become thinner, venous return will be blocked, and varicose veins will often occur in the superficial blood vessels under the skin. This is one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. If the lesions are superficial varicose veins, it may be a symptom of pregnancy. In order to distinguish, it is recommended to go to a specialist hospital for examination.

Armpit shoulder pain

Generally, patients with early breast cancer will not experience obvious pain. A few patients will experience intermittent pain and hidden pain, which is also a common symptom of breast cancer. Most of them are pain and discomfort in the armpit, shoulder, or upper arm. Pain may also occur in one breast, which may be caused by compression of breast tissue. It will be particularly obvious during menstruation, so we must pay great attention to it.

10. Orange peel-like changes in the skin

As breast cancer cells invade, the shape of the skin will also change, the surface temperature of the breast skin will increase, and it may even cause edema and thickening. As the disease worsens, skin inflammation will spread to the entire breast. Breast cancer invades the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels, and the obstruction of lymphatic return can cause skin edema, which can easily cause the surface of the breast to sag, like orange peel.

11. Skin Dimples

Skin dimples are also one of the early signs of breast cancer. The signs of skin dimples are manifested as local skin depressions, similar to dimples. Not all signs of dimples are breast cancer, because erythema appears on the breast skin, local skin roughness and thickening, enlarged pores, local lumps and protrusions, or tight and sunken skin. Chronic breast inflammation, fat necrosis, breast subcutaneous thrombophlebitis, and postoperative scar contracture can also cause skin depressions, which need to be diagnosed with caution.

12 Swollen axillary lymph nodes

One-third of breast cancer patients basically have axillary lymph node metastasis, and the disease will gradually merge as the disease progresses. In the late stage of breast cancer, the metastatic lymph nodes can be felt in the clavicle and contralateral axilla. At this time, you must go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time.

Breast skin ulcer

Skin ulcers are also one of the symptoms of advanced breast cancer. Normal skin damage will repair itself for a period of time. Skin ulcers caused by breast cancer often last for a long time. Many patients show local ulcers, which may sometimes bleed, pus, and have some odor. At this time, we should be vigilant and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.

14. Cough and chest pain

Cough and chest pain are also symptoms of advanced breast cancer. In the late stage, it often invades the pleura, which can cause chest pain and pleural effusion. When it invades the large bronchi of the lungs, symptoms such as dry cough or blood in sputum may occur. However, lung symptoms can metastasize and may metastasize to distant parts of the body. 75% of patients with recurrent breast cancer will have lung metastasis, so you must pay attention.

15. Liver pain

The liver is one of the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis. If breast cancer patients have liver metastasis, it may cause chest pain. At this time, patients will experience right upper abdominal pain. Some patients will experience nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and ascites. At this time, sufficient attention should be paid. Once a breast cancer patient has liver metastasis, it means that the patient's condition is very critical. At this time, it is advanced breast cancer and should be taken seriously. Go to the hospital for examination in time.

Conclusion: Here are 15 early symptoms of breast cancer. I believe everyone has a certain understanding. Female friends must have a high degree of prevention awareness in daily life. If there is abnormal chest pain, breast depression, lumps, or spread of lumps, you must go to a specialist hospital for relevant examinations in time.