Study: Women with breast cancer symptoms but no lump may wait longer to seek medical care
Some patients take longer than others before getting a potential breast cancer checked by their health care provider. Believing that women who have breast cancer symptoms but have no lump may wait longer, researchers in this study used data from women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and 2010 to identify possible explanations. (1/18/17)
Most relevant for: People with breast cancer symptoms.
It may also be relevant for:
- healthy people with average cancer risk
- people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
- previvors
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Who covered this study?
Huffington Post
These breast cancer symptoms often go unnoticed
This article rates
3.5 out of 5 stars
Live Science
Breast cancer: The first sign isn't always a lump
This article rates
3.5 out of 5 stars
Contents
| At a glance | In-depth |
| Findings | Limitations |
| Guidelines | Resources |
| Questions for your doctor |
STUDY AT A GLANCE
This study is about:
Identifying whether or not people who have breast cancer symptoms but do not have a lump wait longer to see a health care provider than people who have a noticeable breast lump.
Why is this study important?
A breast lump is not the only symptom of breast cancer, but it is the most common. If people are less aware of other breast cancer symptoms, they might delay going to their health care provider, but early diagnosis is important for all breast cancer patients because it increases the chance of survival.
Study findings:
- About 1 of 6 breast cancer patients went to their health care provider with a symptom other than a breast lump.
- Breast cancer patients who had symptoms but no breast lump took longer to have their health care provider check their breasts than women whose only symptom was a breast lump.
What does this mean for me?
In a press release, Dr. Karen Kennedy, Director of the National Cancer Research Institute in the United Kingdom (NCRI), said, “This research shows that, all too often, women are delaying going to their doctor with symptoms of breast cancer. This could be because people are simply unaware that breast cancer can present in many different ways, not just through the presence of a lump. With a disease like breast cancer, it's essential to be diagnosed as early as possible so that a treatment plan can be developed and started. Awareness campaigns need to raise awareness of all of the potential symptoms of breast cancer so that people know how to spot the signs and when to go to a doctor.”
While a breast lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer, many other symptoms should also be checked. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), other symptoms may include:
- Breast swelling, with or without a lump
- Skin irritation
- Skin dimpling
- Breast or nipple pain
- Nipple turning inward (retraction)
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Nipple discharge
- Lump or swelling under the arm or around the collarbone
While these symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has breast cancer, people who experience any of them should quickly seek help from a health care provider to identify the cause. It is also important to note that although breast cancer is not usually painful, even painful lumps should be checked out by a health care provider.
Posted 1/18/17
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References
Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel G, et al. “Typical and atypical symptoms in women with breast cancer: Evidence of variation in diagnostic intervals from a national audit of cancer diagnosis.” Presented at the 2016 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer conference in Liverpool. Subsequently published in Cancer Epidemiology June, 2017:48:140–146.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
- Should I be doing breast self exams? How frequently should I check my breasts?
- Should a doctor be checking my breasts for lumps? Is so, how frequently?
- What changes in my breast should I look for if I am concerned about breast cancer?
- Given my family history, how often should I be screened for breast cancer?
Who covered this study?
Huffington Post
These breast cancer symptoms often go unnoticed
This article rates 3.5 out of
5 stars
Live Science
Breast cancer: The first sign isn't always a lump
This article rates 3.5 out of
5 stars
Medical Daily
Breast cancer symptoms: Signs other than lumps lead to detection In five of six cases
This article rates 2.5 out of
5 stars