October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a great time to spread the word about the importance of breast cancer screening and being alert to breast changes. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S.

BREAST AWARENESS

Even young women, including those without a family history of breast cancer, should never ignore changes in the appearance or feel of their breasts, such as:

– A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

– A change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast

– Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

– A newly inverted nipple

– Bloody nipple discharge

– Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin

– Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, similar to the skin of an orange