Breast Cancer Advice Center | Signs of Breast Cancer Knowledge Base

What are the signs of breast cancer?

I have pain in my left arm and breast could this be cancer

Public Comments

First off any changes in your breast that you feel are abnormal you need to seek the advice of your physican.
The symptoms of Breast Cancer are as followed: A lump or thicking in the breast or under the arm, A change in the size or shape of the breast, Discharge from the nipple, A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast or the skin around the nipple, this may be dimpling, puckering or scaliness of the skin, Other changes in the skin color or texture, such as orange peel skin, Swelling redness or feeling of heat in the breast.

The early that Breast Cancer is detected the better your treatment options are. So please get a medical opinion if you aren't sure. Better Safe then Sorry.

Below I have listed some very helpful website that deal with Breast Cancer. They have helped me out wonders.

http://www.cancer.org
http://www.plwc.org
http://www.breastcancer.org
http://www.y-me.org
http://www.healthpages.com
http://www.breastdoctor.com
http://www.cancercare.org
http://www.komen.org

Best of luck to you and I hope all turns out well. Take Care & Keep smiling!!! :)
Check your breast for lumps. Use two fingers with steady pressure and starting from inside to the outside of the breast lower part with smooth strokes run your fingers across the breast feeling for any lumps. Do this around the lower, middle and top of the breast. Then circular motion around the nipple of each breast. If you feel any lumps or tenderness report it to your medical provider. If you already having pain you need to see your medical provider right away. Breast cancer is not something to play around with. Please please don't wait about this, go and see your doctor. Wish you the best of luck.
Maybe you know a little about self tests .The one for breast cancer is not quite difficult.
Feel the breast firmly and look for any lumps or somehow solid masses in it. Start near the nipple areas and move upward and outward and end near the outer portion of it ,exactly where your chest joins your arm (armpit region ) .
Whether this information is helpful or not, you should visit a doctor '' just in case '' so you can be more certain of your condition.
Wish you well !!!
Usually, a lump is often the first sign. Other signs are:

1. Abnormal drainage from nipple
2. changes in the texture of the skin on your breast. An "orange peel" looking skin on breast is something to get checked out.
3. A nipple that inverts (turns inward) in a nipple that has previously been normal.

but unfortunately, there may not be ANY signs in breast cancer.

There is a type of breast cancer (inflammatory breast cancer) that is VERY agressive, and it can present itself with a red, irritated area of the breast that may look like a bug bite that doesn't go away.

If you have concerns, you need to go to your doctor to be evaluated. Why worry about it? Just get it checked out.
the easiest way is to do a self examination and feel for any abnormalites ... i u do feel ny visit ur doc as soon as possible
See your health care provider about a breast change when you have:
A lump in or near your breast or under your arm
Thick or firm tissue in or near your breast or under your arm
Nipple discharge or tenderness
A nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast
Itching or skin changes such as redness, scales, dimples, or puckers
A change in breast size or shape
If you notice a lump in one breast, check the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, it may be normal. You should still see your health care provider for a clinical breast exam to see if more tests are needed.
(these could mean you might have cancer)

Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer

You might notice different kinds of breast changes at different times in your life. Many of these are caused by changes in your hormone levels and are a normal part of getting older.

Younger women may have more glandular (more dense, less fatty) breast tissue than older women who have stopped having their period (menopause). This kind of tissue is where breast changes usually occur.

Before or during your period, you might have lumpiness, tenderness, and pain in your breasts. The lumpiness and pain usually go away by the end of your period.

During pregnancy, your breasts may feel lumpy, as the glands that produce milk increase in number and get larger. Still, breast cancer has been found in pregnant women, so talk with your doctor if you have questions about any breast lumps.

While breastfeeding, you may get an infection called mastitis that happens when a milk duct becomes blocked. Mastitis causes the breast to look red and feel lumpy, warm, and tender. Mastitis is often treated with antibiotics. Sometimes the duct may need to be drained. If the redness or mastitis does not go away with treatment, call your doctor, as you may need further care.

As you approach menopause, your periods may become less frequent. Changing hormone levels also can make your breasts:
Feel tender, even when you are not having your period
Feel more dense
Feel more "lumpy" than they did before
As you age, other breast changes are more common, such as:

Intraductal papilloma. This is a growth inside the nipple that looks like a wart. It can be removed by surgery without changing the way the breast looks.

Mammary duct ectasia. As you near menopause, ducts beneath the nipple can become swollen and clogged. This can be painful and cause nipple discharge. The problem is treated with warm packs, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to remove the duct.
If you are taking hormones, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills, or injections, when getting your mammogram be sure to let your doctor know. Hormones may cause your breasts to be more dense.

When you stop having periods (menopause), your hormone levels drop, and your breast tissue becomes less dense and more fatty. You may stop having the lumps, pain, or nipple discharge you used to have

I hope this information was helpful!!!