8 breast cancer signs you probably didn't know about

It's not just about checking for lumps


Breast cancer can sneak up on you before you have any sort of clue as to what's going on. In part, that's because most women are on the lookout for a lump in their breasts — and not for other common indicators. That's a mistake, because while a lump is the most recognised symptom of this dreaded disease, it's by no means the only one. Different kinds of cancer produce different symptoms, and many cancers produce no lumps at all.

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If you have nipple tenderness or discharge

Are your nipples slightly sore or somewhat painful to touch? Are they discharging fluid that is not breast milk?

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If you have a change in skin texture or enlargement of skin pores

Some describe cancerous breast skin taking on the texture of an orange peel.

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If you have a loss of energy

 Are you feeling very weak or tired, no matter how much sleep you're getting?

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If you have noticed significant weight changes.

Have you gained or lost a noticeable amount of weight for no reason? 

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If you have a lump in your armpit

Have you discovered a lump in your armpit, rather than your breast? Breast tissue extends as far as the armpits; cancerous lumps won't necessarily be restricted to the breast. 

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If you've noticed your breasts have become irregular in size

Has one breast gotten noticeably larger than the other?

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If you have persistant itching

Itchiness that won't go away could point to fluid build-up, poor lymph function, or your body trying to create new blood vessels for breast tumors, warns BreastCancer.org.

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If you have upper back pain

Are you suffering from back pain that doesn't ease up with stretching, chiropractic treatment, or rest? Breast cancer can cause back pain when tumors grow and push on nerves and ligaments, or when the cancer metastasizes, becoming bone cancer. 

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