Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021: Lumps, pain, and other signs, symptoms to look out for

Health

Times Now Digital

Updated Oct 14, 2021 | 17:03 IST

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer across the world and about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the condition in the year 2020.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer to look out for | Photo Credit: iStock Images

Key Highlights

Globally, October is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Being aware of one's body is an integral step towards ensuring good health.

Look out for these common signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

New Delhi: The month of October (1 October 2021 to 31 October 2021) is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This motive is to spread awareness about the condition that is easier to treat in the early stages and to empower women with knowledge to spot some early indicators before cancer spreads.

Alarmed by the global burden of breast cancer, the World Health Organisation (WHO) wants us all to realise that breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer and about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the condition in the year 2020.

Breast cancer also accounted for 685,000 deaths worldwide in the same calendar year. Despite the treatment success rate being high in some cases, due to lack of awareness, the common signs and symptoms of the condition might often go unnoticed which can lead to the cancerous growth spreading and progressing to further stages.

Breast cancer - signs and symptoms

Being aware of the body is an integral step towards ensuring health. It is important to know what a healthy pair of breasts should look and feel like. This can prove to be helpful in assessing the breasts for any unusual signs. Here are some common signs and symptoms of breast cancer that one must look out for:

Swelling in breasts or parts of it
Pain in the breast or parts of it
Skin dimples
Nipple discharge (not to be confused with breast milk)
Irritation, redness, rashes
Pain in nipple/nipples
A visible change in size or shape of the breast
Flakey skin on the breast or around nipples
Lump in underarm or breast

Every patient's body is unique

It is important to note that the symptoms of breast cancer may vary from one person to another. While some people may experience visible and apparent symptoms, others might not encounter any symptoms at all until it's too late. This calls for the importance of breast screenings to prevent unfavourable circumstances. Make sure that you stay vigilant and do not ignore any unusual signs or symptoms. Upon encountering a symptom, if any, consult a healthcare professional immediately.

No testing is in vain

Your doctor may carry out a clinical screening (physical examination of breasts). Only if they feel there is cause for further investigation, you are likely to be advised screening tests like mammograms, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), etc.

While it is true that screening for breast cancer cannot prevent the onset of the said disease, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Talk to your doctor about which breast cancer screening tests are right for you, and when you should have them. Save old images and carry along the test reports when you go for evaluation the next year. The comparison aids doctor's judgement.