Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world. In fact, according to the CDC, the US records about 240,000 cases of breast cancer in women and about 2,100 in men annually. About 42,500 people succumb to the disease, but, the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chance for survival.

The American Cancer Society states, "The earliest stage breast cancers are stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). It then ranges from stage I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. And within a stage, an earlier letter means a lower stage. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way."

There are many factors that affect someone's possibility of surviving breast cancer, but early detection is critical. 

According to the CDC, a mammogram (X-ray of the breast) is the best way for many women to detect breast cancer early. A mammogram can detect cancer that isn’t developed enough to find with a self exam and regular screenings are the best way to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. Your doctor will be able to recommend a regular screening schedule for you based on your age, relative health, and risk factors.

Another excellent tool for early detection is a self-test at home which should be performed at least once a month. The self-exam is meant to help you become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel so you can more easily identify any changes or abnormalities. It is best to test at the same time of the month each month. Our breasts have tissue that responds to hormones. This means the breasts can often feel differently based on where a woman is in her menstrual cycle. For example, if a woman is on day 2 of her menstrual cycle and feels her breast, it may feel completely different should she perform a self-exam on day 20.If an abnormality is found during a self-exam, you should reach out to your doctor about it right away. Here are the three ways you can test:

1. In the Shower 

Using the flat part of your three middle fingers, apply light to medium pressure to your entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Note any changes in texture and lumps.

2. On Your back

When lying down, put a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, use light to firm pressure on the pads of your 3 middle fingers to feel for noticeable changes in your right breast and armpit area. Swap arms to check your left breast; be sure to also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. 

3. In The Mirror

With your arms by your sides, look closely at your breasts, looking specifically for changes in their shape, dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, including your nipples. After this step, place your palms on your hips and press down to flex your chest muscles. Notice any dimpling, puckering, or other changes, particularly on one side.

Below are the signs of breast cancer you should look out for during your self-exam:

Symptom 1: Hard Lump

You may have heard people talk about finding a lump in their breast and that’s because it is the most common sign of breast cancer. This lump is often hard, may be irregular in shape, and as small as a seed. It may be hard to find, but if found, it can feel immovable under your skin. If the lump lingers through 1-2 menstrual cycles, we recommend talking to your doctor. 

Symptom 2: Nipple Crust

Eczema or trouble with breastfeeding may cause a crust to form on your nipple, but if skin remedies recommended by your doctor don't fix the problem, it could be a sign of a cancer called “Paget’s disease.” This type of breast cancer occurs when cancer cells spread inside the breast and live in the nipple, creating a scab-like and sore crusted surface.

Symptom 3: Red or Hot

This symptom involves the breast feeling warm or the presence of a burning sensation; depending on your skin color, your breast may even appear reddish purple, pink, or bruised. Your breasts may experience these symptoms if you're menstruating, breastfeeding, or have eczema so if topical treatments and antibiotics don’t help with this condition, you may have Inflammatory Breast Cancer where cancer cells block the flow of lymph in the breast.

Symptom 4: "Orange Peel" Skin

Another type of Inflammatory Breast Cancer is  known as “peau d’orange,” (French for "orange peel"). This occurs when the skin of the breast looks like the dimpled skin of an orange because the breast has swollen which causes hair follicles to look like lots of little dimples. 

Symptom 5: Thick Area

During menstruation or breast feeding, the texture of your breasts may change slightly, but if you’re not experiencing either of these conditions and your breast texture changes, take note. If you feel a dense thickening of your breast skin or a denseness deeper in your breast that does not go away, it can be a sign of cancer cells blocking circulation in the breast or a tumor growing near the surface of the skin.

Symptom 6: Dimple

If you notice a dimple in your breast that does not go away, it can be a sign of a tumor (lump) deep in the breast pulling the skin inward causing it to indent. You may not easily feel a dimple but you may notice it more clearly by lifting your arms up above your head and observing whether or not the whole breast skin moves with you as you raise and lower your arms.

Symptom 7: Unusual Fluid

Discharge from the nipple is common and usually harmless. It’s usually tied to developing breasts and puberty, infection, cysts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. If you notice fluid leaking outside of these scenarios, especially if there’s blood in the fluid, check with your doctor.

Symptom 8: New Shape or Size

Few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts so it’s likely yours are slightly different in size or shape. But if one breast changes size, flattens, swells, or droops unexpectedly when you’re not menstruating or breastfeeding, this change could be a sign of breast cancer.

Symptom 9: Skin Sores

Sometimes cancer can grow in the breast and cause the skin to break down and form and open wound and infection. This symptom is normally accompanied by an obvious hard lump and evidence that the disease has been present for some time.

Symptom 10: Growing Vein

Newly appearing blood vessels or enlarged veins are usually not a sign of cancer and are usually a symptom of Mondor’s Disease, weight gain, or breastfeeding. But if veins become more pronounced outside of these changes, you might have a cancerous tumor drawing more blood to itself causing a vein to swell to allow for additional blood flow.

Symptom 11: Sunken Nipple

Some women develop breasts with retracted nipples naturally, but if you notice your nipple sinking, flattening, or turning, it could be a sign of a new breast cancer tumor forming underneath, and pulling the nipple toward it as it grows.

Symptom 12: Bump

Not every lump or bump is cancerous; in fact, many are harmless cysts (fluid collections) or benign lumps made of various tissue (fibroadenomas). If you have a bump that concerns you, show a doctor. 

These are the 12 symptoms that your doctor will look for when they perform a manual breast exam on you so we recommend taking control of your breast health by regularly self-examining. This will increase your chances at early detection and reduce your risk of late treatment and poor health outcomes.

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