Little known breast cancer symptoms as Sarah Ferguson given shock diagnosis

25 June 2023 , 20:59

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Little known breast cancer symptoms as Sarah Ferguson given shock diagnosis

Lesser known breast cancer symptoms - but potential red flags nevertheless - include changes in skin texture and inflammation of the skin.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has today returned home following "successful" surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer recently.

The royal, though, did not experience any noticeable symptoms, and was told the news after a routine mammogram.

Common telltale signs include a lump on the breast, or the nipple changing in any way, the NHS highlights.

(Getty Images)

But other, subtle symptoms include changes to the skin and its texture and are listed below;

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1. Warm, red, irritated and/or itchy breasts
2. Nipple discharge
3. Flat or inverted nipple
4. Scaliness
5. Changes in skin texture
6. Change in breast size or shape

Lumps on the breast are the most common sign of the cancer - but there are other subtle ones (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Breast milk may leak from breasts during or after pregnancy but any other discharge from the nipple should be checked by a doctor. It could indicate cancer - regardless of whether it is a clear or bloody fluid.

Doctors should also assess flat or inverted nipples if these are unusual for you.

Healthy breast skin is smooth. If yours is scaly or inflamed, that’s a red flag and again should be looked at by a doctor.

A rash, puckering or dimpling on the breast could be a sign of breast cancer. Skin changes related to breast cancer may resemble the rough skin of an orange peel.

It’s not uncommon for someone to have one breast that’s larger than the other, but any new change in breast size or shape, including swelling or shrinkage, could indicate cancer.

Mammograms only take a few minutes and involve having the breast X-rayed.

Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer (Rafal Klimkiewicz/Newspix via ZUMA Press/REX/Shutterstock)

A spokesperson for Duchess of York, who is now at home with her ex-husband Andrew and their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, said: "Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.

"She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.

"The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family.

"The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.

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"She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening."

Bradley Jolly