Breast cancer during pregnancy is rare. However, after your childbirth, the risks of the illness increase rapidly. New mothers are often more worried about taking care of their children, learning parenthood, and adjusting to the practicality of becoming caregivers. Even the postpartum depression that new mums go through isn’t an easy battle to conquer either.

Your care is fundamental too. After all, a happy and healthy mother can take the best care of their children. So, as you offer the best nurturing to your child, you must keep track of your needs and the changes your body is going through. If you feel any pain or swelling around your breasts or any other hormonal change, you must get it checked right away.

Five Breast Cancer Symptoms In New Mums

You must also be aware of the early signs of postpartum breast cancer. That way, you can get treatment by the earliest and preserve your health and fitness. Here are the five breast cancer signs highlighted by the experts at Mermaid Beach, a Gold Coast Radiology Clinic.

New mums must know how to assess their body changes and schedule MRI scanning for their breasts by the earliest. Read on to know all.

1. Lumps In Your Breast

One of the most severe breast cancer symptoms is when your breast feels lumpy. You might think that the lumps are due to breastfeeding and lactation. That’s one reason why new mums disregard this sign until it’s too late.

One way to identify the lumps as potential breast cancer signs is when the lump doesn’t hurt. If the lumps aren’t causing you pain or discomfort, they might be present because of duct blockage. You may even have an infection or slight fever that can cause lumps to appear in your breast. However, new mothers must always keep it safe and refer to a doctor to address it.

2. Itchy Rashes On The Nipples

After childbirth, your nipples might feel overly sore and itchy. Soreness is one thing. However, if you see rashes developing on your nipple or the area around it, you must consult a medical caregiver right away.

As new mothers, you may see redness on your breast and think of it as yet another sign of motherhood. However, if the redness starts itching quite often, you must grow weary of it. There are high chances that the rash may signify Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

ICD is a type of cancer that starts from your milk ducts and spreads to other parts of your breast. The quicker you diagnose ICD, the higher the survival rate from your cancer becomes.  

3. Swelling On The Milk Ducts

Blockage of milk ducts can cause swelling on your breast. If you don’t treat it soon, it may escalate into acute infections that can cause further discomfort. Mastitis is an example of breast infection. Your breast might feel warm and tender, and you may also get a fever.

Swollen milk duct is one of the critical break cancer symptoms. That’s why you must consult your doctor to get it checked.

4. Dark Patches On The Breast

Breast darkening is also one of the most commonly ignored break cancer signs. Your skin colour of other body parts doesn’t change. But then, prominent skin pigmentation around your chest area starts appearing. It can start with smaller dark patches around the breast and then grow till your whole breast looks significantly darker.

New mums are already filled with high fatigue and often don’t give importance to their breast darkening. But that’s a critical mistake you must avoid at all costs. Red or dark patches on your breast are strict matters that you must inform your medical caregiver as soon as possible.

5. Nipple Discharges

Things get trickier if you feel water or milk discharge from your nipples. You don’t have to worry about the discharge if it lasts during breastfeeding. Nipple discharges are usual during breastfeeding, after all.

However, it’s worrisome if the discharging continues for an extended period. Frequent and prolonged discharging is one of the most precarious breast cancer symptoms.

Final Thoughts

New mothers must have sufficient knowledge of breast cancer symptoms. Ideally, as you buy parenthood books and magazines, be sure to familiarize yourself with health risks during and after your pregnancy.

As new mothers, your child is your foremost priority- and there’s nothing wrong with that. But make sure to make your health the second most crucial factor of your life. Schedule regular check-ups after childbirth and assess your body’s changes to identify possible red flags. Fight breast cancer like a true warrior.

Happy motherhood!