Early Signs of Breast Cancer

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. You can help beat the odds by knowing how your breasts normally look and feel and by getting a yearly mammogram. Mammograms are the best screening tool currently available to detect tiny abnormalities in your breast tissue before you notice any symptoms. However, not all breast cancer is detected by mammograms. Learn about the signs of breast cancer to be proactive in your breast health.

How Common Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most prevalent cancer for U.S. women. About 12 percent or one in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in her life, usually after menopause.

What Are the Signs of Breast Cancer?

Since many women now get yearly mammograms, many cases of breast cancer are caught in the earliest stages, which allows for less invasive treatments and more positive long-term outcomes. However, if you notice these signs of breast cancer, make an appointment with your doctor immediately:

• Change in Appearance of Breasts – Changes can include warmth, thickening, or redness of the breast. Lumps, dimpling, and puckering are also signs of breast cancer. Changes in the size or shape of the breast are also signs to look for.
• Change to Nipples – Sudden onset of nipple discharge, puckering, rashes, pain, and itchy or scaly nipples can be signs of breast cancer. A doctor should check nipple discharge in just one breast, bloody discharge, or discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple.

Not all of these symptoms will turn out to be breast cancer. Many women have lumpy or bumpy areas throughout their breast tissue. If the lumpiness is uniform and occurs in both breasts, this is usually a normal condition. Many lumps are benign cysts. Breast pain is usually associated with other medical conditions such as an infection. However, if you notice any of these changes to your breasts, see your doctor for testing.

Get Regular Breast Cancer Screenings

The best way to ensure your breast health is to take a proactive approach. Know the signs of breast cancer, take care of your overall health, and most importantly, schedule a yearly mammogram. Mammograms are the most effective tool for the early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms catch breast cancer before you or your doctor will notice any changes to the breast tissue. It’s recommended that women start getting a yearly mammogram at age 40. Following up yearly helps doctors take note of any changes to the breast tissue, which allows for immediate and more effective treatment.

 Why Choose PURE Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening?

Don’t put off getting a mammogram or ignore signs of breast cancer. At PURE Mammography, we’ll give you peace of mind by making your mammogram experience as easy and comfortable as possible. You’ll enjoy a relaxing spa-like atmosphere in the exam room with comforting settings like gardens, rainforests, or beaches, thanks to our state of the art audio and video system. PURE is located inside the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, so you can stop by for a mammogram after shopping with no appointment necessary. Our extended weekday and weekend hours help you fit a mammogram into your busy schedule. Contact us or call us at 631-652-3424 to learn more about our unique facility.