7 OFTEN Overlooked Breast Cancer Signs

Like the lung cancer I wrote just a few days ago, breast cancer’s survival rate is highest when it’s caught EARLY.

But this doesn’t just mean getting cancer screenings. It also means regularly looking for WARNING SIGNS at home.

Most women know that discovering a lump in their breast warrants a trip to their doctor.

It IS one of the most common signs of breast cancer (although many lumps are NOT breast cancer).

But these SEVEN frequently overlooked signs often occur BEFORE a noticeable lump…

A recent study surveyed 1,004 women over 18 to find out how well they could identify signs of breast cancer.

The results weren’t good.

The good news is that nine out of 10 women knew that a lump in their breast can be a sign of breast cancer.

But the bad news is most did not know about OTHER signs to watch out for…

• Only 31 percent knew that a retracted, inverted, or downward-pointing nipple was a symptom.
• Just over one-third knew that breast pucker was a symptom.
• About 41 percent identified loss of feeling in the breast as a symptom.
• Fifty-one percent knew that nipple discharge was a symptom.
• And 45 percent knew that thickening of the breast was a symptom.

When thickening occurs, the skin can resemble an orange peel. If you notice this symptom, call your doctor ASAP, as it can indicate a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.

Other possible signs include dry skin around your nipple or a noticeable size difference in one or both breasts.

The best way to stay ahead of breast cancer is to know what you’re looking for.

When breast cancer is caught early, the 5-year survival rate is a reassuring 99 percent. Even in women whose cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the survival rate is 86 percent.

But once it spreads BEYOND that, survival odds drop dramatically.

P.S. If you or a loved one has ever had breast cancer despite being “cured,” there’s a cancer shadow that refuses to go away. Slash breast cancer recurrence by 40%.

SOURCE:

“Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms,” American Cancer Society, cancer .org