Breast cancer affects women of all ages. That is why it is important to know about breast cancer signs and what actions should be taken if you experience any of them. While you may experience symptoms of breast cancer, only a doctor can make that diagnosis for sure. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

A lump, one which does not feel like the surrounding tissue, is often the first of several breast cancer signs. This is why it's important to do a regular self exam  because early detection is important. If you pay attention to breast cancer signs, you can have any symptoms investigated early on, and the sooner you are diagnosed, the more likely you are to triumph over this awful disease.

Besides a lump, some of the other signs to look out for include changes in the sizes or shape of the breast, dimpling of the skin on the breast, or a nipple that is inverted or that has discharge coming out of it. Your doctor should be made aware of any such signs and changes as soon as possible.

Paget’s disease of the breast, a disease that results in flakes on the nipple and redness of the skin, is often a leading indicator of breast cancer. As Paget’s disease becomes more advanced, more symptoms become apparent. These include increased sensitivity, itching skin, burning sensations, and general pain. If you have encountered any or all of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor so that you can be properly examined.

Sometimes other symptoms can signal breast cancer. If you have lost weight quickly for unknown reasons, that may be a symptom. Other symptoms are unexplained fever and chills lasting more than a few days, pain in the joints or bones, and jaundice. Sometimes there are neurological symptoms as well.

You must remember that most symptoms that coincide with breast cancer do not turn out to really be breat cancer. Although you have to take your symptoms seriously, you should not panic. What you need to do is to see your doctor, give him or her the chance to evaluate your symptoms, and find out exactly what is causing your symptoms.

Breast cancer can strike at any age. Therefore, knowing the breast cancer signs and symptoms is very important. One of the best factors in beating breast cancer is early detection  One of the best methods of detection is the monthly self exam  Keep in mind that your breasts change size and/or shape, and that most symptoms of breast cancer don't end up being breast cancer. Simply make an appointment with your doctor and get yourself checked out.