The symptoms of breast cancer: Eight signs of cancer you might not know about

Breast cancer must be recognised and treated early. For people with early breast cancer this may offer the best chance of cure. For breast cancer that has already spread to other organs, known as advanced breast cancer, catching the disease early allows for early discussion and planning for a tailored treatment approach, which may ultimately improve patient outcomes. When it comes to diagnosing breast cancer, time is vital. Know the symptoms of breast cancer and act early.

This could suggest a lump inside the breast, which causes the ligaments (fibrous tissue) in the breast to shorten, which pulls the tissue and skin inwards, resulting in a puckered or dented appearance.

Dimpling of the skin could suggest that the tiny channels in the breast, called lymph vessels, which help get rid of waste products from the body, have become blocked. This causes the breast to become inflamed and swollen and a large area of skin to develop little dimples, like orange peel. In some cases, this is a sign of a type of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer.

This could suggest a lump in the cells within the milk-secreting glandular lobules or it could be another sign that the tiny channels in the breast, called lymph vessels (which help get rid of waste products from the body) have become blocked.

This is a very rare symptom of breast cancer. In a small number of cases it is linked to a disease that is associated with breast cancer called Paget's disease. While its cause remains unknown, Paget's disease causes an eczema-like itchy red rash on the nipple or surrounding area.

This could suggest that cancer cells are lining the ducts (small milk-carrying tubes), behind the nipple.

Developing an inverted nipple (when you weren't already born with one) which can't be drawn out, may suggest a lump behind the nipple is pulling it in.

This could suggest a blockage in a blood vessel, that might be caused by a lump or increased supply of blood to the breast, a sign that can accompany tumour growth.

This could suggest a lump in the lymph glands (which help get rid of waste products from the body) under the arms. Sometimes a lump under the arm can be more noticeable than in the breast.

Examining your breasts regularly, knowing the symptoms of breast cancer and speaking to your doctor as soon as possible if you notice something that isn’t normal for you is crucial. This is because early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer improves the chances of fighting the disease.

There is no wrong way to examine your breasts, the key is remembering to ACT:

• Appearance of the skin:

  Orange peel, vein development, denting

• Changes to your nipple:

  Rash, redness around the nipple, inverted nipple

• Thickening of the tissue:

  A lump in breast or under your arm, thickening of the breast tissue