12 breast cancer signs EVERYONE should know revealed in viral photo of lemons – and it’s NOT just a lump
From a thick mass under the skin, to dimpling and orange peel skin, there are 12 key signs of breast cancer you need to know
THIS image of 12 lemons may seem like nothing more than just a tray of citrus fruit.
But, look closer and the viral photo could save your life.
The fruit depict the 12 key signs of breast cancer - telling women what the disease could look and feel like.
It is the second most common cause of death for women - and the threat is rising.
Hundreds of women may have died after an NHS computer glitch meant 450,000 women were not invited to vital breast cancer screenings.
Women who missed their mammograms have begun an agonising six-month wait to find out if they have breast cancer after a "colossal" NHS error.
Health bosses are trying to contact 309,000 women who missed screening scans because of computer failings dating back almost a decade.
Women are advised to check their breasts each month for signs of cancer - but now experts advise those regular checks should begin in our 20s.
But, while the majority of women will know to feel for unusual lumps and bumps, there are around 11 other symptoms that we should all be aware of.
They are:
- a thick mass
- an indentation
- skin erosion
- redness or heat
- new fluid from the nipple
- dimpling
- a bump
- a growing vein
- an inverted nipple
- a change in size or shape
- skin that looks like orange peel
- an invisible lump under the skin
Erin Smith Chieze, from San Diego, shared the image after becoming frustrated by a Facebook campaign asking people to post a heart as their status to raise awareness of the disease.
Instead, Erin posted the image of the 12 lemons, from the charity .
She said she was inspired to do so after seeing a similar post in 2015 telling people to be aware of what breast cancer looks like, rather than how it can feel (a lump).
She wrote: "I saw an indentation that looked like one of those pictures, I instantly knew I had breast cancer.
";I tried to feel for a tumour, but my tumour was non-palpable.
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer five days later, and with stage four (advanced breast cancer) the following month."
She said posting a heart will do nothing to raise awareness.
"I knew what breast cancer was, I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease," she said.
";We need to give real information, not cute hearts.
"Without having seen a picture randomly with real information, I wouldn't have known what to look for."
She urged Facebook users to "stop playing games" and to share photos of the real signs and symptoms women need to watch out for, to educate people and help them realise it is more than just a lump.
Mr Kislaya Thakur, an expert at BMI The Blackheath Hospital in south London, told The Sun Online: "The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump usually found by patients themselves.
"However other symptoms can indicate breast cancer.
"These include blood stained nipple discharge, nipple inversion or flattening, dimpling or tethering - including an orange-peel appearance - of the skin over the breast, lumps in the armpit or neck, or any redness which may suggest inflammation or persistent pain."
While awareness is vital, Mr Thakur said it is important women put this knowledge into practice.
I knew what breast cancer was, I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease
Erin Smith Chieze
Breast cancer, while more common in women over the age of 50, does affect younger girls too.
Twenty per cent of cases occur in those women under the age of 50 - and it is never too young to learn more about what to look out for.
Mr Thakur said: "Women should start becoming breast aware from the age of around 25.
"About once a month especially a few days after periods are over, when the breasts are less lumpy and, or tender is the best time to check.
"I’d encourage women to make a habit of this. It enables women to pick up changes in their breasts early and seek specialist advice if needed.”
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