Breast Cancer Detection and Symptoms

Early detection of breast cancer saves thousands of lives each year. Thus, the earlier breast cancer is found, the better chances are that treatment will be successful.

The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are the most important factors in predicting the outlook for the patient.

Finding cancer before it causes symptoms is the best way to implement effective treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms:

Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer. While the widespread use of screening mammography has increased the number of breast cancers found before they cause any symptoms, some are still missed.

Clinical breast exam: Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year.

It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts feel like.

Breast awareness and breast self-exam (BSE): BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s. If you decide to do BSE, you should have your doctor or nurse check your method to make sure you are doing it right.

If you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. But it’s OK not to do BSE or not to do it on a fixed schedule.

Signs of breast cancer include the following:

Swelling of part of the breast
Skin irritation or dimpling
Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
Nipple discharge other than breast milk
Lump in the underarm area The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A lump that is painless, hard, and has uneven edges is more likely to be cancer. But some cancers are tender, soft, and rounded. So it's important to have anything unusual checked by your doctor.