Breast cancer can strike at any age. Therefore, knowing the breast cancer signs and symptoms is very important, in addition to the actions you should take to catch cancer early in its course. Only your doctor can determine for certain whether any signs or symptoms you are experiencing are being caused by cancer. It is imperative to contact your physician immediately in the event you discover any of these signs.

One of the best factors in beating breast cancer is early detection. One of the best methods of detection is the monthly self exam. A lump on the breast is one of the primary breast cancer signs. If you do a tactile exam of your breasts every month, you will be more skilled in detecting when something feels different and if something does, immediately go to your doctor to report it.

Besides a lump, some of the other breast cancer 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 reasonably possible.

The occurrence of Paget's disease is associated with breast cancer. Paget's disease is characterized by changes to the appearance of the breast including redness, and flaking of skin from the nipple. As the disease progresses, the skin over the breast may burn, become painful, itchy and more sensitive than usual. It is critically important to advise your physician of any such changes to the breast.

Sometimes there are other symptoms that can tell you about cancer. a very rapid weight loss for which there is no reason, is sometimes a sign of breast cancer. Fever and chills without any apparent cause are also its symptoms. Bone or pain in the joints, jaundice and different neurological symptoms are also sometimes signs of breast cancer.So you have to keep a watch at these factors.

One thing to keep in mind is that most symptoms of breast cancer don't end up being breast cancer. This does not mean that you shouldn't take any symptoms seriously. It simply means that until your doctor can take a look at you and let you know what is going on, there is no reason to be alarmed. Simply make an appointment and get yourself checked out.