:: 2000 - 2006

Welcome to our Breast Cancer Warning Signs Alert!

We have selected articles which provide information on breast cancer warning signs. We will continue to add more articles to this alert (from the year 2000).

Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for All Women "See your health care provider about a breast change when you have: A lump in or near your breast or under your arm. Thick or firm tissue in or near your breast or under your arm. Nipple discharge or tenderness. A nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast. Itching or skin changes such as redness, scales, dimples, or puckers. A change in breast size or shape. If you notice a lump in one breast, check the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, it may be normal. You should still see your health care provider for a clinical breast exam to see if more tests are needed."

Importance of physical examination in the absence of a mammographic abnormality for the detection of early-stage breast cancer. (Clin Breast Cancer. 2005)"Purpose: A recent trial called into question the efficacy of breast self-examination. We studied the characteristics and outcome of women in whom physical examination (PE) was their sole method of breast cancer detection. ... Conclusion: Although associated with younger age, larger tumors, and more frequent node positivity, in this study detection by PE did not confer worse outcome. This may be because of the increased use of chemotherapy in these patients. Physical examination remains an important method of detection of breast cancer, particularly for younger women for whom mammography is less sensitive and not performed as frequently."

Rate of Breast Cancer Diagnoses Among Postmenopausal Women With Self-Reported Breast Symptoms (J Am Board Fam Pract. 2005) "Approximately 70% to 80% of diagnostic mammographic examinations involve women who present with a breast problem;[1,2] however, only 8% to 12% of these women go on to develop breast cancer.[3-7] Although the prevalence of breast cancer diagnoses among women with symptoms is low, failure to diagnose breast cancer is one of the most common causes of malpractice claims. Malpractice claims are often associated with a story that the clinician ends a work-up of a palpable lump with a negative mammogram.[8,9]] Knowing which breast symptoms carry the highest breast cancer risk is important to assisting in the diagnosis of breast cancer. ... Conclusions: Having a lump is the most predictive symptom of breast cancer whether it is reported at a screening or diagnostic examination or in conjunction with other symptoms."

NGC - Breast masses. (2005)

NGC - Diagnosis of breast disease. (2003)

Featured site

NCI - Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for All Women

NCI - Breast Cancer Symptoms

NIH - Breast Lumps - Biopsy Tutorial

NIH - Medline Plus Breast Cancer Tutorial