6 Red Flags for Early-Onset Breast Cancer All Women Should Know About

From everydayhealth.com

Most breast cancer diagnoses occur after age 50, but younger women can develop breast cancer, too.

Early-onset breast cancer is defined as a diagnosis that occurs when a person is between ages 18 and 45. Breast cancer in this age group is steadily on the rise, with incidence in the United States increasing by about 1 percent each year since 2012. Early-onset breast cancer now makes up about 10 percent of all new breast cancer cases in women. Guidelines call for routine mammography for women at average risk to begin at age 40, so it’s important for young women to know the early warning signs, advocate for themselves, and be evaluated by their physician accordingly.

“Young women in particular need to be vigilant for physical signs of breast cancer, because they are their own front line,” says Cynthia Drogula, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon and the medical director of the Aiello Breast Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. “They are too young to be screened annually with a mammogram, and most only get an exam from their gynaecologist once a year.”

While most breast changes are benign, knowing what to look for can empower you to advocate for your health.

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1. New Bumps or Lumps

Dr. Drogula encourages women to become familiar with the normal feel of their breast tissue so they can identify when something is off. She says the best time of the month to check your breasts for changes is the week after your period, when hormonal fluctuations are the quietest.

“We no longer advocate for monthly self-breast exams, but instead recommend checking regularly — in the shower, for example — so if a change occurs, it’s noticeable to you,” she says.

Any new breast or underarm lump that doesn’t feel normal for you deserves attention.

“A breast cancer lump may be hard, firm, or irregular, but it can also be soft, round, or tender,” says Katarina Vasiljevic, MD, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, California. “You can’t reliably tell whether a lump is cancerous by how it feels.”

Most breast lumps are benign, including cysts and other common breast changes, says Dr. Vasiljevic. “That's reassuring, but a new, persistent, or unexplained lump should still be checked rather than self-diagnosed,” she says.

2. Skin Texture Changes

Changes to the skin texture of your breast can be a warning sign of cancer, though it’s usually not a reason to panic, says Debra Mangino, DO, the clinical director of the Risk Assessment, Imaging, Surveillance and Education (RISE) Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

“The majority of the time, redness or skin change is due to a benign cause, such as dermatitis or infection,” she says. “Very rarely can it be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.”

Still, it’s important to watch for new dimpling, puckering, or thickening of the skin, as well as skin that develops an orange peel–like texture.

“These changes can occur when cancer affects breast tissue or blocks normal lymphatic drainage,” says Vasiljevic. “A new rash, scaliness, or persistent skin change on the breast or around the nipple also deserves attention, particularly if it isn’t improving.”

3. Nipple Changes or Discharge

Breast cancer can sometimes affect the tissue and ducts behind the nipple, causing visible changes, says Vasiljevic. “A nipple that suddenly turns inward, becomes flattened, changes position, or develops persistent crusting, scaling, redness, or irritation should be checked,” she says.

Some people naturally have flat or inverted nipples, so that alone isn’t necessarily concerning. “What matters is whether something has changed from what’s normal for you,” says Vasiljevic.

Sometimes, nipple discharge can be a sign of breast cancer, though it has many causes that aren’t harmful.

“Most nipple discharge in young women is benign,” says Dr. Mangino. “Nipple discharge that is spontaneous (without squeezing the breast), escalating in amount or frequency, or bloody should be evaluated.”

4. Changes in Breast Size, Shape, or Fullness

“The breasts are sisters, not twins, so for most women, they aren’t symmetrical,” says Drogula. “With that said, they will change together with weight loss, weight gain, and pregnancy.”

If only one breast has suddenly changed in size, shape, or fullness, that warrants a medical examination, as it can be a sign of breast cancer.

5. Swelling and Redness

The most common reason for swelling and redness in the breasts is an infection, which is common in people who smoke and those who have nipple piercings.

While rare, swelling and redness can also be a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer.

“New redness, warmth, or swelling or enlargement of part or all of the breast can be a warning sign, especially when it develops rapidly or doesn’t go away,” says Vasiljevic. “The breast may feel heavier or warmer, and the skin can become thickened or develop an orange peel-like appearance.”

6. Breast Pain

Breast cancer usually doesn’t cause pain, and breast tenderness is very common for reasons unrelated to cancer, including hormonal changes, infection, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and even poor-fitting bras. “Pain alone is therefore unlikely to mean someone has breast cancer,” says Vasiljevic.

But persistent pain concentrated in one area, particularly if it’s new, doesn’t follow the usual pattern of your menstrual cycle, or occurs alongside another breast change, warrants a trip to your doctor, says Vasiljevic.

“Occasionally, a high-grade tumour will ache, causing a sensation of pain,” says Drogula.

The Takeaway

• While breast cancer can occur at any age, the incidence of early-onset breast cancer, diagnosed between ages 18 and 45, has increased in recent years.
• Since routine mammography typically begins at age 40, younger women should be particularly vigilant about checking their breasts regularly for changes, such as new lumps, skin texture changes, nipple changes or discharge, changes in breast size or shape, swelling and redness, or persistent localized pain.
• Most breast changes are benign, but any new, persistent, or unexplained symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/breast-cancer/red-flags-for-early-onset-breast-cancer-women-should-know/