8 unusual breast cancer symptoms
When you think about breast cancer, what do you think of? A young woman with nipple discharge? Probably not. And that's because we often associate a lump as a sign of breast cancer, as well as assuming it only affects older women.
But what about the other symptoms? There are plenty of indicators you might have breast cancer that you're not familiar with, so breast cancer charity CoppaFeel! is helping us all out by shining the light on the lesser known signs and symptoms...
1. Changes in skin texture (e.g puckering/dimpling)
This is why it is so important to feel AND look at your boobs. Dimpling and puckering of the skin can look similar to orange peel.
2. Lumps and thickening
Some boobs are naturally lumpy and this can be perfectly normal. The key is to get to know how your boobs feel, so you would notice if any new lumps appear or if your boob starts to feel thicker in one area compared to the rest.
3. Swelling in your armpit or around collar bone
It is important to check not just your boob but your upper chest and armpit too, as these areas also contain breast tissue.
4. Constant, unusual pain in your breast or armpit
Some breast pain can be perfectly normal, especially around your period. But keep an eye out for any unexplained pain in your breast or your armpit that’s there all or almost all of the time.
5. Nipple discharge
This is liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing it.
6. A sudden change in size or shape
Most women may naturally have one boob bigger than the other or experience their boobs gradually changing as they get older. Many changes are perfectly normal, however if you notice a sudden, unusual change in size or shape then get it checked out.
7. Nipple inversion and changes in direction
All this means is your nipple has become pulled into the boob or looks different to usual. This could be a change in its position or shape. That’s why it's important to pay special attention to your nipple during your regular checks.
8. A rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area
There are many reasons why your skin could become irritated, especially if you are breast feeding, but if you notice any redness or a rash on the skin and/or around the nipple or any crusting of the nipple, make sure you get it checked out by your doctor.
CoppaFeel! holds an annual festival, Festifeel, curated by Fearne Cotton and hosted by Lauren Laverne, which will take place on October 14th at House of Vans, Waterloo in London. For tickets, please click here or go on the DICE app.
Here's what CoppaFeel's founder, Kris Hallenga, had to say about the festival:
"Festifeel raises a heck of a lot of money and awareness too - otheriwse we wouldn’t keep doing it. It’s a great way to make a noise about what we do, about what we can achieve and that our work must continue. Every penny raised is ploughed back into running and developing our education programmes - so that might be making sure we can keep sending monthly texts to 40,000 people reminding people to check their boobs (you can sign up for that here), sending a Boobette into a school or training more students to be boob advocates on campuses up and down the country."
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