How to identify breast dimple sign

Women's breasts are relatively fragile and prone to breast diseases, such as breast hyperplasia, breast fibroids, mastitis, etc. Sometimes lumps of varying sizes can be felt in the breasts, but they are generally benign. If you find dimple-like depressions in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, you should be particularly vigilant, because breast dimples are often a sign of breast cancer. So, how do you determine whether your breasts have dimple symptoms?

What is the breast dimple sign

There is a depression on the breast, which is called the "dimple sign" because its shape resembles a dimple. The most common site of breast cancer is the upper outer quadrant, and the dimple sign is located at the location of the tumor, so it is also common in the upper outer quadrant.

Causes of breast dimples

This is because in the early stages of breast cancer, a small, round or oval, painless, single lump appears inside the breast. Later, as the disease progresses, the tissue around the tumor shows reactive hyperplasia. When cancer tissue infiltrates the fibrous ligament connecting the gland to the skin, it causes the ligament to contract. However, this ligament does not grow along with the tumor, causing the skin on the surface of the tumor to be pulled and become sunken. The superficial skin depression formed in this way is the "dimple sign."

How to self-examine breast dimples

Women should enhance their awareness of self-care and conduct regular self-examinations. The method is: lie flat on the bed and touch the breast with the palm of your finger. The right hand checks the left side and the left hand checks the right side. If you feel a single painless lump, check to see if the "dimple sign" appears. If the early "dimple sign" is not clear, you can stand upright, raise your arms above your head, lean your upper body forward to let your breasts droop, or lift your breasts with your hands. The superficial skin depression of the "dimple sign" will then be visible more clearly.

Which women are more likely to have dimple signs in breast cancer?

1. People with a family history of cancer, especially those whose mother or sister has had breast cancer;

2. People who have early menarche (under 12 years old) and late menopause (over 55 years old);

3. People with certain benign breast diseases;

4. People who frequently receive chest radiography or chest X-rays;

5. Those who have never breastfed, never given birth or gave birth too late or had many miscarriages;

6. Women with high breast density and firm texture;

7. Women who are particularly obese above the waist and whose waist circumference is similar to their hip circumference.

Tips

Experts recommend: ① Women aged 20-39 should perform breast self-examination every month, breast physical examination (including infrared) every 1-3 years, and women over 35 years old should have a basic mammogram; ② Women aged 40-49 should perform breast self-examination every month, breast physical examination (including infrared) every year, and mammogram every 1-2 years; ③ Women over 50 years old should perform breast self-examination every month, breast physical examination (including infrared) and mammogram every year.