• BLOG | Women's Health

Breast Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

• 17 Feb 2025 / BY DOCONLINE

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women. It can also affect men, though it is much less common. It is important to recognize breast cancer symptoms early on and talk about them with your gynecologist. Staying alert and getting help at the right time, can increase your odds of finding breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. 

Below is a list of breast cancer symptoms you shouldn’t ignore and consult a doctor as soon as you experience any of them.

Breast Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

A Hard Painless Lump in the Breast: Finding a lump in your breast can cause alarm, but it does not always mean you have breast cancer. However, if you’ve been told that you have a risk of getting cancer or the lump has been there for more than one month, then you shouldn’t ignore it. 

Change in the shape or size of one breast: Breast cancer can cause your breasts to change shape or shrink. Therefore, if you suddenly notice one of your breasts looking bigger than the other, consult your GP.

Dimpled Skin on Breast: Dimpled skin on your breast can be caused by a tumor pulling on the skin and therefore could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer you shouldn’t ignore. 

Unusual Changes in one or both nipples: If one or both of your nipples feel sore and look crusty, you notice a discharge from your nipples even when you are not breastfeeding or you see a change in the shape of your nipples, get it checked.

Finding Unusual Lumps: If you experience swelling in your lymph nodes, and the small glands in the armpits, neck, and groin that persist and do not go away, contact your doctor immediately.

Reduce The Risk of Breast Cancer with Prevention Tips

Stay Lean & Eat Healthy: Keeping a healthy weight and eating clean especially after menopause can help reduce the risk of developing severe health issues.

Avoid Long Term Usage of Oral Contraceptives: A study of over 150,000 women found that women who had ever used OCPs had a 7% higher risk of breast cancer than women who had never used them. Talk to your doctor and weigh the benefits and risks of OCPs when deciding whether to use them

Get Active and Sit Less: Try to stay as active as possible. Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. 

Choose to Breastfeed: Breastfeeding is a natural process and you should try to do it exclusively for 6 months as it can save you from a lot of health risks. 

Manage Hormones Naturally: If you are trying to control your menopausal symptoms, try non-hormonal methods instead of choosing hormone replacement therapy. 

Get Screened As Per Recommendation:  According to medical studies and surveys,women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year and women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every 2 years.

In cases where specific tests show a mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation)  that increases the risk of breast cancer, your doctor may advise specific screening recommendations. 

Conclusion

Breast cancer can strike anyone and in a lot of cases, the causes can be genetic. However, detecting breast cancer symptoms as early as possible and getting regular screening exams can help detect cancer early, when it's easiest to treat. 

FAQs

Q.1 What are the major causes of breast cancer?

Ans. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, increasing age, or a positive history family of breast cancer can be major causes of breast cancer.

Q.2 What are the common symptoms of breast cancer?

Ans. Common breast cancer symptoms include breast lumps, swelling and pain in the breast, and changes to the skin.