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.

A lump, one which does not feel like the surrounding tissue, is often the first of several breast cancer signs. This is why it's important to do a regular self exam, because early detection is important. If you pay attention to breast cancer signs, you can have any symptoms investigated early on, and the sooner you are diagnosed, the more likely you are to triumph over this awful disease.

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.

Occasionally other symptoms can be a sign of breast cancer. Unexplained and rapid weight loss is sometimes caused by breast cancer. Unexplained fever and chills that do not go away within a few days can also be a symptom. Bone or joint pains, jaundice and different neurological symptoms can occasionally be signs as well so keep an eye on those things.

Remember that although you may experience certain symptoms, more than likely breast cancer will not be the cause. But you should still take any symptoms seriously. Until you consult with your physician, you should not become unduly upset. Just make an appointment so that your doctor can determine if there is a possible problem and if so, how to proceed.