By Miss Christina Choy, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, at Chiswick Medical Centre, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
While most breast cancer campaigns advise you to check for lumps, there are other signs I ask my patients to look for. As malignancy forms in the tissue, it does not always develop into a mass and it can appear in different ways.
I understand some women find it an inconvenience to see a GP regarding breast cancer concerns as they dread the long wait for an appointment and results. This can cause some women to ignore breast cancer signs and symptoms. The new breast unit at Chiswick Medical Centre offers a self-referral service, so patients who qualify do not need to see a GP first.
At the breast unit patients are offered a one stop service for breast assessment, including diagnosis with state-of-the-art machinery and a multidisciplinary treatment approach of benign and malignant breast conditions. Women receive their imaging reports immediately and biopsy results as quick as the following day.
The majority of lumps we examine are benign, so as well as checking for lumps in both breast, armpit and around collar bone areas, women should be aware of other less common symptoms of breast cancer. Check out my five signs to look out for:
Is increase in breast size a sign of cancer?
What is the first sign of inflammatory breast cancer?
Nipple changes in breast cancer
- Nipple retraction
Nipple retraction, or inverted nipples, is when the nipple turns inward or has flattened. Nipple retraction can be a concern when it is sudden and unexplained - Nipple discharge
If the nipple produces discharge, and especially if the discharge is a reddish colour, this could be a sign of breast cancer - Thickening skin
If the skin around the nipple is scaly or has thickened, this could also be a sign of breast cancer and needs to be examined by an expert
Dilated breast veins
Is dimpling of breast always cancer?
Five hidden signs of breast cancer conclusion
If you are worried about any of the symptoms indicating breast cancer, see a consultant for expert medical advice.
For women over the age of 40, even when there are no symptoms or signs, a screening mammogram is available at the Chiswick Medical Centre’s new breast unit.
To book an assessment at the Chiswick Medical Centre’s breast unit please contact the reservations team on 020 3733 9726.
For appointments and more information call 020 3553 9450.