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ELEVATE YOUR
BreastCOULD IT BE
CANCER?
In America, nearly 1 in 8 women are
diagnosed with breast cancer during
their lifetime. And you could be one
of them.
WHAT CANYOU DO about it? Start by understanding THE MOST COMMON BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS
risk factors and symptoms of the disease.
With many diseases, you know something’s wrong because of
“Most breast cancers are present for two to five
years before they can be felt or even seen with imaging symptoms. Breast cancer doesn’t often work that way. In fact, most
technology,” says Paul Dale, MD, Chief of Surgical
Oncology at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center women never experience breast cancer symptoms. They detect their
and Director of the Atrium Health Peyton Anderson
Cancer Center. “Once diagnosed, many women think cancer early through breast-self exams and yearly mammograms.
they need surgery immediately. Otherwise, they fear the
cancer will spread quickly. In most cases, that’s not true. When symptoms do arise, they may include:
Women normally have time to consider their options » A newly developed lump in the breast or armpit
before making a treatment decision.” » Breast or nipple pain
» Breast skin dimpling or irritation
4 navicenthealth.org | FALL 2021 » Nipple discharge (can be blood) that is not breast milk
» Nipple or breast becomes red or develops flaky skin
» Nipple pulls in
» Swelling or thickening of part of the affected breast
» Unexplainable change in breast size or shape
