NEW LUMP OR THICKENING
A new, firm, often painless lump or thickening in the breast or underarm should be checked promptly.
CHANGES IN SIZE, SHAPE, OR SYMMETRY
SKIN DIMPLING
REDNESS, WARMTH, AND SWELLING
Rapid-onset redness, warmth, and swelling can suggest inflammatory breast cancer.
NIPPLE AREOLA SKIN CHANGES
Redness, scaling, or crusting of the nipple areola may suggest Paget’s disease.
PERSISTENT, LOCALIZED BREAST PAIN
BREAST CANCER SIGNS IN MEN
RECOGNIZING INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER
Widespread redness, swelling, peau d’orange, and nipple changes developing over weeks need urgent evaluation.
SCREENING FOR EARLY DETECTION
Do monthly self-checks; ages 45–54 get yearly mammograms, 55+ yearly or every two years. If high-risk, consider earlier screening and MRI.