Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has become extremely common among women worldwide, at different stages of their lives. Unfortunately, even younger women can be affected by breast cancer. Diagnosis and treatment of the cancerous tumor are extremely important, and to make that happen, one must be aware of the early symptoms of breast cancer in women. Here are some of the most prominent ones to consider.
- A lump in the breast or underarm
Among the early symptoms of breast cancer, is the formation of a lump in your breast or underarms. If it doesn’t go away on its own after period, this lump indicates the growth of a tumor. Most lumps are painless though a few of them can cause a prickly sensation. - The lump feels hard
Women might often experience small lump-like growths in their breasts. Often, they are non-cancerous and go away on their own or are simply a part of the breast changing shape. However, as one of the early symptoms of breast cancer, this lump will feel very hard to touch. This is when a diagnostic test must be conducted without delay. - The lump doesn’t move around
This is yet another warning sign of breast cancer. The lump feels hard and will also seem to be fixed to the chest wall without movement. If both of these are happening, the chances are that the lump or tumor is cancerous. - The lump varies in size
In teenage girls, this lump in the breast, which is indicative of cancer, will typically grow in size. Depending on the stage, this lump can be as small as a pea or as large as the size of an adult finger. In some cases, the lump can be quite painful too. - Inflammation in the armpit, breast, or collarbone
These are quite serious warning signs of breast cancer that happen to teenagers. Any swelling in the armpit or collarbone means that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the area. This swelling can even come before a lump is felt or noticed so, do not hesitate to let your doctor know about it. - Pain or tenderness in the breast
As one of the early signs of breast cancer, you might feel a dull pain and a strange kind of tenderness in your entire breast. If you are not menstruating and the tenderness increases, notice the symptom and consult a doctor.
Identifying the early symptoms of breast cancer is important especially, because they often go unnoticed because people assume that breast cancer cannot happen to someone so young. If you feel any of the symptoms, it is of paramount importance that you seek medical guidance.