Changes In The Skin Texture On Or Around Breast: Dimpling
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.
Early Signs Of Breast Cancer
Pinpointing breast cancer in its earliest stages isnt easy because breast cancer signs and symptoms are different for everyone. Sometimes there is a palpable lump or tenderness. Very often, there is neither. Generally, breast cancer shows no symptoms in the early stage.
However, there are certain changes in the breast that may indicate breast cancer in both men and women.
Whether you are a man or a woman, its important to become familiar with your breasts so you can recognize when changes occur and seek timely treatment. Know the facts and understand your risk factors for the disease, such as genetics and family history, by reviewing these frequently asked questions.
Pagets Disease Of The Breast
This is a rare skin condition that is sometimes a sign of an underlying breast cancer. The symptoms are a red, scaly rash on the nipple and surrounding area. This can be itchy and looks a bit like eczema. It is sometimes mistaken for eczema at first.
See your doctor if you have any changes in the skin of your breast.
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Ruling Out Bites Acne Or Eczema
Skin changes that develop on the breast area can easily happen with other conditions that are not breast cancer. Knowing what common skin irritations look like may be helpful in determining whether your skin abnormality merits a call to a healthcare provider. These can include:
- Bug bites: A rash, irritation, or red bump that may resemble a bug bite could actually be the beginning of IBC. If you haven’t been exposed to insects lately, monitor the area for warmth, swelling, spreading and check with a healthcare provider to rule out anything more sinister.
- Acne: It’s not uncommon to experience acne breakouts on areas like the chest. If breakouts are rare for you, pay attention to whether the pimple-like bump comes with itching, swelling, warmth, or other symptomsand if it doesn’t clear up, it may be worth flagging.
- Eczema:Rashes resulting from the common skin condition eczema can be dry, flaky, crusty, scaly, and itchy. Keep in mind if the rash is on or close to the nipple area, its possible that Pagets disease may be involved.
Sometimes, breast cancer can spread to other parts of the bodycommonly the skin. This may look more like classic skin cancer and appear as a skin-colored or discolored bump .
When To Call Your Doctor
If you’re finding signs or symptoms previously discussed, or if you notice other significant changes in your breast, it’s best to contact your doctor for evaluation. Your doctor may recommend further screening or scans.
It can be scary to experience a mass or breast cancer diagnosis. There are significant advances in early detection practices, and patient outcomes are getting better. Consider Arizona Oncology as your trusted partner in your breast cancer journey. We can help you navigate every stage, from detection and diagnosis to available treatment and reconstruction options. Contact us today to learn more.
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How Can I Reduce My Risk
While there are risk factors you cant control, such as getting older or genetics, subscribing to a healthy lifestyle and taking preventive measures can help lower your risk of developing breast cancer.
- Obesity and alcohol misuse increase your risk for developing breast cancer. Go for a nutrient-dense diet, exercise as often as possible and limit intake of alcoholic drinks.
- Regular mammograms do not prevent breast cancer but provides early detection which is the key to better outcomes. Consider starting annual mammograms no later than 40 years old or based on the recommendations of your doctor.
- If youre taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, ask your doctor about the risks and other possible alternatives.
- Breastfeed your children, if possible.
- Having a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can significantly raise your risk. Discuss your diagnostic and preventive treatment options with your doctor.
Early detection and treatment of breast cancer can save lives. Dont delay care. We have precautions in place to ensure your safety so you can stay on top of your breast health. We are here for you.
Breast Cancer Skin Changes To Recognize
Texture, color, and sensation symptoms may indicate breast cancer
Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. A multilingual Latina, Cristina’s work has appeared on CNN and its platforms, local news affiliates across the country, and in the promotion of medical journal articles and public health messaging.
Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
The first noticeable sign of breast cancer isn’t always a lump. Sometimes, there are breast skin changes that may indicate cancer.
Every skin abnormality on the breast is not automatically a sign of cancer. However, it’s helpful to know how the disease might manifest on the skin so you can monitor any unusual changes.
This article discusses skin changes that might indicate breast cancer and when to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
PonyWang / Getty Images
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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms
A rare type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer can have different symptoms to other types.
Your whole breast might look red and inflamed and feel sore. The breast might feel hard and the skin might look like orange peel.
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
How Does It Work
Electrical impulses change the outer layer of the cancer cells in the treated area causing gaps, called pores, to open up on the cells surface for a short time. This allows the chemotherapy drug to enter the cancer cells more easily. Once the pores close, the chemotherapy is sealed inside the cells.
The dose of chemotherapy drug is much lower than when its given to treat the whole body.
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Symptoms Of Skin Metastases
Symptoms of skin metastases include a:
- Change in the colour of the skin
- Firm, painless, small lump or a number of lumps of different sizes
Sometimes the symptoms of skin metastases, such as redness and inflammation, may look like an infection of the skin called cellulitis.
Skin metastases can also cause lymphoedema, which is swelling of the arm, hand or breast area.
Other possible symptoms include:
Thickened Skin And Peau Dorange
Thickening of the skin and peau dorange, where the skin of the breast appears pitted like the peel of an orange with large pores, may develop in mastitis or in inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer. It is crucial to treat inflammatory breast cancer as soon as possible, and you should see your doctor immediately.
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What Are The Common Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
The following early signs and symptoms of breast cancer can happen with other conditions that are not cancer related.
- New lump in the breast or underarm
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
- Pain in any area of the breast
Does Inflammatory Breast Cancer Rash Come And Go
The bottom line. IBC causes a wide range of symptoms, including breast pain, redness, swelling, changes to the breast skin or nipples, and more. Many of the symptoms of IBC come on suddenly and may even appear to come and go. However, these symptoms will become consistently worse as the disease progresses.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Symptoms of IBC progress quickly, over three to six weeks, and may include:
- Areas of discoloration , a bruise or rash spread over one-third of your breast.
- Dimpling, pitting or thickening of your breast skin that resembles an orange peel.
- Pain, swelling, itchiness, firmness or tenderness in one breast.
- Warmth, burning, heaviness or enlargement of one breast.
- Inverted or retracted nipple .
- Swollen lymph nodes near your collarbone or under your arm.
The Breast Cancer Centers At Ctca
At the Breast Cancer Centers at each of our CTCA® hospitals, located across the nation, our cancer experts are devoted to a single missiontreating breast cancer patients with compassion and precision. Each patients care team is led by a medical oncologist and coordinated by a registered oncology nurse, who helps track the various appointments, follow up on tests and answer questions that come up along the way. Your care team also may include a breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and a plastic/reconstructive surgeon with advanced training in helping patients restore function and appearance. Fertility preservation and genetic testing are also available for qualifying patients who need them.
Our pathologists and oncologists are experienced and trained in tools designed to diagnose, stage and treat different types of breast cancer, from early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ to complex diseases such as triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancer. As part of our patient-centered care model, which is designed to help you keep strong during treatment, your multidisciplinary care team may recommend various evidence-informed supportive therapies, such as naturopathic support, psychosocial support, nutritional support, physical and occupational therapy and pain management. The entire team works together with a whole-person focus, which is at the heart of our centers dedication to personalized and comprehensive care.
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Tests For Skin Metastases
A member of your treatment team will examine you and look at your skin. Theyll also discuss any other symptoms you have.
To confirm a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer in the skin, you may have a punch biopsy. Youll be given a local anaesthetic before a tiny cutter device is used to take a very small piece of tissue from the area. Its not unusual for the area to bleed a little after the biopsy so a small dressing or plaster will be applied.
The biopsy site may be uncomfortable for a little while, but simple pain relief can be taken to help with this.
You may also have a CT scan to check for any signs of the cancer having spread to other parts of the body.
A CT scan uses x-rays to take a series of detailed pictures of the body. Its painless but during the CT scan you need to lie still for a short period of time. Before the scan you may be given a liquid known as a contrast solution. This is usually injected into a vein, and helps produce clearer images to identify the number, size and location of any areas of cancer.
A Rash May Indicate An Especially Aggressive Type Of Breast Cancer
Rashes can signify many different conditions. Infections, allergies, heatstroke, viruses, and stress can all cause rashesand so can breast cancer.
“There are two types of rashes that may indicate breast cancer,” says Beckley, who adds that these rashes may first appear to be eczema or another common type of rash, at first. “Paget’s disease of the breast is a rare condition that presents with flaky, thickened skin around the nipple or areola that is red and itchy. The nipple can also become flattened or inverted,” she says, noting that “typically, Paget’s disease is diagnosed along with breast cancer.”
“Another type of breast cancer that can manifest with a rash is inflammatory breast cancer ,” says Beckley. ” is an aggressive cancer that can have a small red rash or area of irritation similar to a bug bite as a first sign of disease.” Beckley warns that “this small area then can spread and become swollen, painful, and warm to the touch, and can progress further to have the appearance of an orange peel .”
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How Does Breast Cancer Start
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control. Different kinds of breast cells develop into different types of breast cancer. Most breast cancers begin in the breast ducts or lobules . These are known respectively as invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Other less common types of breast cancer include inflammatory breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ.
Though breast cancer is most common in women, men can develop it as well. A mans lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,620 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Warmth Redness And Pain
Warmth, redness and pain in the breast typically indicates mastitis, an infection or inflammation of the breast that is very common in breastfeeding women. Mastitis can be easily treated, and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Rarely, this may be due to an inflammatory breast cancer , and so it should be addressed promptly by your doctor.
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Who Is Likely To Have Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Anyone can develop inflammatory breast cancer, but certain factors may raise your risk.
- Gender: IBC can affect people of all genders, but its more common in women and people assigned female at birth .
- Age: People with IBC tend to be younger than people with other forms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women and people AFAB who are younger than 40. The median age of diagnosis is 57.
- Race: People who are Black are more likely to get diagnosed with IBC than people who are white.
- Weight: People with obesity or overweight are more likely to get diagnosed than people with a BMI that falls within the normal range.
Early Warning Signs Of Invasive Breast Cancer
Symptoms more specific to invasive breast cancer are:
- Irritated or itchy breasts
- Increase in breast size or shape
- Changes in touch
- Peeling or flaking of the nipple skin
- A breast lump or thickening
- Redness or pitting of the breast skin
It’s important to remember that other, benign conditions may have caused these changes. For example, changes to the skin texture on the breast may be caused by a skin condition like eczema, and swollen lymph nodes may be caused by an infection in the breast or another, unrelated illness. Seeing a doctor for an evaluation will help you determine whether something you notice is cause for concern.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
If you have any symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.
Different people have different symptoms of breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all.
Some warning signs of breast cancer are
- New lump in the breast or underarm .
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.
Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.
If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Ductal carcinoma in situ refers to an area of abnormal cells on one milk duct.
When a person receives this diagnosis, the cells have not invaded the surrounding breast tissue. However, having ductal carcinoma in situ can increase the risk of developing invasive breast cancer later.
This condition generally does not cause symptoms. Doctors find through mammography. Rarely, a person may notice a lump in the breast or some discharge from the nipple.
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When To Start Mammograms
Regular mammograms, which are low-dose x-rays of the breast, can be an effective way to detect breast cancer early. Mammograms are considered an essential health benefit under all ACA-compliant health insurance plans and are covered:
- Every 2 years for women 50 and over
- As recommended by a provider for women 40 to 49 or women at higher risk for breast cancer
The recommended mammogram schedule for women with an average risk of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is as follows:
- Ages 40-44: Option for annual mammograms
- Ages 45-54: Recommended annual mammograms
- Ages 55 and older: Option to continue with yearly mammograms or to adjust schedule to every two years. Mammogram screenings should continue as long as the woman is in good health and is expected to live at least ten more years
Mammograms are not perfect, and a doctor may require additional mammograms or other screening tests to determine if any suspicious findings are cancerous.
Support is available both during and after treatment if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Find online tools, resources, and groups in your area.