Breast cancer is the form of cancer that develops in different parts of the breast, and the malicious cells multiply and grow out of control. This is one of the leading types of cancer diagnosed among women in the country. While both men and women are susceptible to this type of cancer, women face a higher risk of developing the disease. One should keep an eye out for the early warning signs of breast cancer.

1. Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer
The symptoms of breast cancer, like any other disease, can vary from one person to another. Some of the common early signs of this disease are:

• Changes in the skin on the breast and swelling
• Redness in one or both the breasts
• Increase in the size of the breast(s)
• Changes in the shape of the breast(s)
• Changes in the appearance of the nipples
• Discharge other than breast milk from one or both the nipples
• Bloody discharge from the nipples
• Pain in the breast(s)
• A lump or thickening in the surrounding tissues of the breast(s)
• Itchy breast(s)
• Change in the color of the breast(s)
• Peeling of the skin on the nipple
• Swelling of the breast, even if there is no lump
• Nipple pain and rash around the nipples
• Nipples turning inward
• A lump in the underarm
• Heaviness and burning sensation in one breast
• Changes in texture and temperature of the breast(s)

2. Causes of breast cancer
The exact cause of breast cancer is not known, but researchers say that a combination of hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing the disease. Breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction between an individual’s genetic makeup and the environment. Here are some risk factors that are known to trigger breast cancer and its early warning signs:

• Exposure to radiation at an early age
• Being obese and overweight
• High sugar intake
• Undergoing treatment for hormonal imbalance
• Excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking
• Age and genetic mutations
• Exposure to estrogen
• Entering menopause
• Family history of breast cancer
• The density of the breast tissue
• Reaching menarche (the onset of menstruation) at a younger age (before 12)
• Conceiving at an older age (after 35)
• Taking post-menopausal estrogen and progesterone medications
• Women who never become pregnant face a higher risk of developing this form of cancer

While there is no known cause of this disease, it is caused due to damage to the cell’s DNA. Certain risk factors can trigger the disease, but everyone exposed to a particular risk factor may not necessarily develop it. Exercising regularly and limiting the consumption of alcohol and tobacco can lower the risk of developing the early warning signs of breast cancer.