One in eight females in the country are diagnosed with breast cancer over their lifetime, so women must know about the early warning signs of breast cancer. Being aware of these changes in their bodies can help women get timely diagnosis and treatment.

Let’s look at some of the early warning signs of breast cancer:

Lumps in the underarms or around the breasts: This is usually one of the most basic and early warning signs of breast cancer. If one sees lumps around the breasts or armpits, they should take note of this and visit a doctor right away. These lumps usually appear suddenly and are often hard and painless.

Swelling near the collarbone or armpit: In this case, swelling is likely to start before one feels the lumps. It happens when breast cancer has affected the lymph nodes, which causes swelling in the area. Consulting a doctor is necessary if one notices this early warning sign of breast cancer.

An indented area on the breast: Sometimes, the area around the breasts can feel flat or indented because of the growth of tumor cells that one cannot feel or see. If one feels any changes in one or both breasts, they must consider it as a possible warning sign and monitor it or approach a doctor for further diagnosis.

Changes in the nipple: Many changes in the nipples can be considered early warning signs of breast cancer. Here are a few changes one should be cautious about:

• Nipple is dimpled
• A change in the color of one or both nipples
• Itches and burns
• A developing sore
• Spontaneous nipple discharge that is either bloody or clear
• A nipple pulled inward

Flaky and dry breast skin: The nipples may feel itchy, and the skin can turn flaky, dry, and red without any obvious reason. It may happen due to the development of cancer cells, and the skin may become thick enough for one to be able to tell the difference. This is a common early warning sign of breast cancer, and one should consult a doctor immediately if they notice this.

Pain: Though pain is usually not caused by lumps, the growth of cancerous cells can make the breasts feel tender and painful. If breast pain persists for over a month, one can rule out hormonal changes as the cause and should get it checked by a doctor. Sometimes, lumps can cause a prickly feeling on the skin.

These early warning signs of breast cancer should not be ignored. If one notices any of the above-mentioned symptoms, they should discuss it with their doctor at the earliest. Identifying the disease early on can significantly improve the success rate of the treatment.