Cancer is the leading cause of death across the world. But cancer is an umbrella term used to cover a wide range of diseases and conditions caused due to the abnormal multiplication of cells in the body. As of 2018, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. It had 2.09 million cases and caused 627,000 deaths.

Despite it being so prominent, not many individuals are aware of the early signs and stages that could help prevent fatalities. This article will shed light on these signs and symptoms so you can keep an eye out and ensure that you get the right treatment at the right time.

1. Lump or mass in the breast
One of the early telltale signs of breast cancer is having lumps in the breast or the underarms. While it is not unusual to have lumpy breasts, individuals should carry out home tests to check if there are lumps in their breasts. Here are a few changes that you should look out for the following.

• Changes in the texture of the breast that is not caused due to the menstrual cycle.
• A hard lump in the breast that was not there before
• A lump present in only one of the breasts

It is also important to remember that not all lumps signify cancer. Cancerous lumps usually have uneven edges, can be painless, and are typically very hard. This does not have to be the case for all those who are developing cancer. So, if you feel like there is a lump in your breast, it is best to visit a doctor, as they will carry out tests to diagnose if it is breast cancer.

2. Discharge from the nipples
Another telltale sign of breast cancer is discharge from the nipples. There could also be nipple discharge due to squeezing the nipple or due to an infection. So, how do you know if it is an early sign of cancer?

Here are some things that can help identify cancerous nipple discharge.

• There is discharge even without squeezing the nipples
• Discharge from only one breast
• Nipple discharge that contains blood

These are only a few of the signs, but irrespective of whether it is cancer or not, discharge from the nipple needs to be treated at the right time.

Keeping an eye on the early signs of breast cancer can be difficult as many of these changes are due to hormonal changes in the body. These hormonal changes can be caused due to puberty, menopause, and even pregnancy. Individuals can even experience swelling and lumps in their breasts during their menstrual cycle.

3. Other changes
Some other notable changes and early signs of breast cancer you should look out for are as follows.

• Changes in the shape or size of the breast
• Swelling in the breast
• Rash on the nipples
• Dimpling on the skin of the breast
• Inversion of the nipples

If you notice any of these signs, you should get to the doctor ASAP.