Arms at sides – check symmetry
Hands on hips – contract chest muscles
Arms overhead – watch movement
Pinch gently – feel for dimpling
Critical: Any dimpling = immediate mammogram.
#8 itches constantly…
8. Persistent Itching/Irritation: The IBC Red Flag
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) – rare but deadly.
Itching that won’t quit = major warning.
IBC statistics:
Type Prevalence 5-Year Survival Itching Frequency
Common BC 99% cases 90% Rare
IBC 1-5% 40% 73%
Warning signs:
Symptom Normal Duration Cancer Duration
Itching 2-3 days Weeks+
Redness Temporary Persistent
Warmth Brief Constant
Swelling Menstrual Progressive
Real case – Jennifer, 39:
Week 1: Mild itching, blamed laundry detergent
Week 3: Redness, warm to touch
Week 5: IBC diagnosis – rapid treatment saved her
Urgent action: Itching + redness = ER visit.
#7 feels like marbles under skin…
7. Hardened Areas: The Marble-Like Masses
Not soft cysts – hard, irregular lumps.
Cancer vs. benign:
Characteristic Benign Malignant
Shape Smooth, round Irregular
Mobility Moves freely Fixed
Edges Well-defined Spiculated
Pain Often tender Usually painless
Growth Stable Progressive
American Cancer Society: 87% of palpable cancers are hard/fixed.
Self-exam locations:
Position Best For Detecting Frequency
Lying down Upper outer quadrant Daily
Shower Entire breast Weekly
Mirror Skin changes Monthly
David, 62 (rare male case):
Month 1: Hard pea-sized lump
Month 2: Male breast cancer diagnosis
Survival: Caught early = 95%
#6 hurts constantly…
6. Persistent Breast/Nipple Pain: The Steady Ache
Not menstrual – constant, localized pain.
Pain patterns:
Cancer Pain Normal Pain Action Required
Constant Cyclical Week 2
One-sided Both sides Immediate
Deep ache Surface Mammogram
Progressive Stable Urgent
Study finding: 28% of inflammatory breast cancers present with pain first.
Warning combinations:
One Glass a Day: A Natural Way to Support Nerve Health After 50
One Glass a Day: A Natural Way to Support Nerve Health After 50
Pain + lump = 92% cancer likelihood
Pain + skin changes = 87%
Pain + discharge = Emergency
#5 swells mysteriously…
5. Unexplained Swelling: The Silent Expansion
No lump visible – breast/armpit swells anyway.
