Breast Oncologist Warns: Don’t Ignore This Breast Change
When people think about breast cancer, a lump is often the first warning sign that comes to mind. But breast cancer does not always appear as a noticeable lump. Doctors are urging people to pay attention to other changes, including an unusual change in the skin of the breast.
One breast oncology surgeon, Dr. Hannah Naughton, has specifically warned patients not to ignore skin dimpling or puckering. This can sometimes happen when an underlying tumour pulls on the tissues supporting the skin, creating a visible indentation or change in the breast’s normal contour. Importantly, this can occur even when a person cannot feel a distinct lump.
What Does Breast Skin Dimpling Look Like?
Breast skin dimpling may appear as a small indentation, depression or puckered area on the breast. In some cases, the skin can look as though it is being pulled inward.
The change may be subtle, which is why knowing what is normal for your own breasts is important. The National Cancer Institute lists dimpling and puckering among possible breast cancer-related skin changes, along with redness, swelling, scaling and other changes.
However, seeing dimpling does not automatically mean that someone has breast cancer. Breast changes can have many causes, including non-cancerous conditions, previous surgery, scarring, infections or other changes in breast tissue. A healthcare professional needs to determine the cause.
Other Breast Cancer Warning Signs
According to the CDC, possible signs of breast cancer can include a new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, redness or flaky skin, nipple changes, unusual nipple discharge and changes in the breast's size or shape.
The American Cancer Society also notes that breast cancer can cause nipple retraction, breast or nipple pain, swelling and changes in the skin. At the same time, many breast changes are caused by conditions that are not cancer.
Don't Wait for Your Next Mammogram
One important message from breast specialists is that a new or persistent breast change should not simply be ignored because someone recently had a normal mammogram.
Screening mammograms are extremely important because early breast cancer may cause no symptoms at all. However, screening does not detect every breast cancer. If a new change appears, it should still be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Depending on the situation, a doctor may recommend a clinical examination, diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound or another test to determine what is causing the change.
The Importance of Early Attention
The reason doctors emphasise new breast changes is that early detection can provide important treatment opportunities. Breast cancer found at an earlier stage may be easier to treat than cancer that has already spread.
For this reason, people should become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel. A new change that persists or seems unusual deserves medical attention rather than being dismissed.
Breast skin dimpling is only one possible warning sign, but it is an important one to recognise. The key message is simple: a new or unexplained change does not necessarily mean cancer, but it should be checked.
If you notice dimpling, puckering, a new lump, nipple changes, unusual discharge, swelling, redness or another persistent breast change, contact a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation.
This article is for general information and does not replace professional medical advice or recommended breast-cancer screening.
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