What does breast cancer look like?

Much like snowflakes, no two breasts are alike (even on the same person!), symptoms of breast cancer can vary across individuals, some people don’t even have any symptoms of breast cancer. This is one of the many reasons it’s important to know what is normal for your body. Many bumps are lumpy, but not all lumps are breast cancer (in fact, most bumps on your boobs aren’t cancer). By regularly performing a breast self exam (BSE), you will be more familiar with what is typical for your breasts and it will be easier to detect if something has changed.

Some warning signs of breast cancer are:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness, scaliness, pitting or thickening of the skin or nipple
• Pulling in of the nipple (retraction or indentation) or pain in the nipple area
• Spontaneous nipple discharge (other than breast milk), including blood
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Red skin or an area that feels hot
• Pain in any area of the breast that continues over time

If you experience any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a clinical examination.