According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women after skin cancer, and around 270,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Medical research about this disease has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past few decades. Breast cancer is now a very treatable condition, but one thing remains the same– the earlier you catch it, the better.
Although younger women are still at risk, breast cancer primarily affects women who are over 50, or in their menopausal years. This means that as you age, it becomes more important than ever to perform self breast exams and get mammograms so that any unusual changes in your breasts can be noted and monitored. However, menopause comes with a host of changes to your breasts that are completely normal, so how do you know what’s a problem and what’s a typical sign of your body aging? This list will help you determine when to worry about the risk of breast cancer, so keep reading to learn more!
Normal Breasts
Lumps
Lumps in the breast are one of the most well-known signs of breast cancer, and feeling a lump can make any woman’s stomach drop. However, not all lumps in the breast are cancerous, or even abnormal! If you feel a lump that is not painful, that is smooth and regular in its shape and texture, and that moves freely under the skin and tissue instead of being fixed in one spot, it’s probably something benign like a cyst or a fibroadenoma. You should still tell your doctor about it, but it’s likely not a problem.
General Soreness
Pain can be a sign of serious problems in the breast, but it’s also a normal symptom of hormonal changes in the body. Sore, uncomfortable breasts can indicate PMS, pregnancy, or menopause. As a rule of thumb, if your breast pain is affecting both sides and can be felt across the majority of the breast instead of one specific spot, it isn’t worrisome, especially if it’s accompanied by other signs of hormonal fluctuations.
Inverted Nipples
Part of the reason regular self breast exams are so important is because recognizing signs of cancer involves learning what’s normal for you, and noticing if something changes. Inverted nipples are a major warning sign of cancer, but only if your nipples suddenly invert. If you’ve always had nipples that point in, that’s normal!
Discharge
Discharge can sometimes be a cause for concern, but many women experience perfectly normal and healthy nipple discharge in their lives. You should always make a note of any nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk and tell your doctor about it, but it’s most likely not something you need to worry about.
Size Change
Once you’re past puberty, it would certainly be convenient if your breasts stayed the same size, but in reality that’s often not the case! Many things can cause a woman’s breasts to fluctuate in size, from the menstrual cycle to pregnancy and breastfeeding. You may notice changes in how your breasts look as you enter menopause. Your falling estrogen levels can cause your breasts to lose volume and look smaller. However, if your change in breast size is affecting both sides equally, it can be considered normal!
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
Abnormal Lumps
Cancerous lumps in the breast are sometimes painful and sometimes painless. They are often “fixed,” meaning they’re stuck to one spot in the breast and are not easy to move. Lumps that are a sign of cancer are also often irregular in the way they feel, being rough or bumpy instead of smooth. If you feel a lump like this in your breast or under your arm, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Skin Changes
A common sign of breast cancer is “dimpling” of the skin in a specific area, sometimes called orange peeling because of the way it makes the skin’s texture look like an orange. Areas that are red, dry, or feel thicker than the areas around them can also be warning signs that should be checked out by a doctor.
Suddenly Inverted Nipples
Having inverted nipples is normal, but having your nipples become inverted suddenly after never being that way before is something that you should call your doctor about immediately.
Abnormal Discharge
While some nipple discharge is normal, it can also be a sign of cancer, so you should always tell a doctor about any nipple discharge you experience, especially if you notice that your discharge is bloody.
Abnormal Size or Shape Change
Changes in the size and shape of the breast that can’t be explained by a hormonal change like PMS or menopause are a definite cause for concern. This is especially true if you notice that a change is only affecting one breast and not the other, or if you’re noticing that one particular area of the breast is larger or looks like it’s bulging.
Taking Care of Your Health
Monthly Self-Exams
Even if you’ve never done them before, it’s never too late to make doing self breast examinations a part of your routine. Once a month, go through the steps of a self-exam and make note of anything that seems out of the ordinary to bring up to your doctor. This is important not just to look for lumps and other signs of cancer, but so that you can get familiar with your breasts and know when something is normal for you and when something is new!
Annual Exams and Mammograms
Mammograms aren’t fun, but they are vitally important to lowering your risk of breast cancer and allowing any problems in your breast to be caught early enough to be treatable. The American Cancer Society recommends that women get a mammogram every year from ages 45 to 54 (or even younger, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer) and every two years from age 55 onwards. You should also be getting a breast cancer screening from your doctor or gynecologist every year! These exams can not only allow you to catch breast cancer at a treatable stage, but they can make the treatment process far easier and more painless. Their importance can’t be overstated, so if you’ve been putting off your mammogram or screening, now is the time to schedule it!
Breast cancer risk is a part of life for women, especially as you enter menopause, but it doesn’t have to be something that scares you if you follow these steps and make sure you’re getting your regular exams. To learn more about menopause and women’s hormonal health, you can continue to read our blog here!
