Breast cancer symptom could be mistaken for cold

While many people recognise breast cancer warning signs that manifest in the breast itself, such as lumps, swelling and other changes, the disease can impact other areas of the body as well. In certain instances, it may cause lymph glands throughout the body to react in a similar manner to how they respond during a common cold.

Cancer Research UK explains: "You can't usually feel the lymph glands in your body. But they can become swollen when you have an infection or a cold. A less common cause of swollen lymph glands in the armpit is breast cancer that has spread to this area."

Lymph glands, also known as lymph nodes, are tiny, bean-like formations located throughout your body - including beneath your arms in the armpits, in the groin area at the top of your thighs, around your neck, abdomen, pelvis and chest.

Typically, you can feel the lymph nodes in your neck region even when they're not enlarged. These nodes act as filters for lymph fluid, which contains waste materials, bacteria, damaged cells and potentially cancerous cells gathered from across the body.

The lymph glands remove the bacteria and compromised cells, which are then targeted by white blood cells. Lymph nodes become enlarged when the body battles an infection, like a cold, as the quantity of white blood cells rises to combat the dangerous pathogen.

Nevertheless, when cancerous cells detach from a tumour, they may get trapped in a lymph node, causing it to swell as well. The lymph node closest to the affected area typically becomes the first to enlarge.

For instance, during a cold, neck lymph nodes will probably swell, while a malignant tumour in the breast may cause armpit nodes to expand.

Most other signs of breast cancer are discovered within the breast itself, such as detecting or observing a lump. Cancer Research UK emphasises: "Most breast lumps are not cancer. Lumps that aren't cancer are called benign lumps."

The breast may have naturally bumpy regions, cysts can frequently develop in breast tissue, creating a lumpy appearance, whilst fibroadenoma represents a cluster of fibrous glandular tissue, which occurs more often in women under 40.

The charity stressed: "It is important to always get a breast lump checked by your GP. They will arrange for you to have tests to find out whether your lump is cancer or not."

The most frequent sign of breast cancer in men is a breast lump that is almost always painless. It might also lead to nipple discharge or cause the nipple to pull inward. A rash on or surrounding the nipple and a wound in the breast skin are also typical symptoms.

For both genders, experiencing breast pain doesn't necessarily indicate cancer either. The specialists noted that it's fairly common in one or both breasts and there may be no clear cause for it.

Changes to the skin on your breasts could be a sign of breast cancer or other breast conditions. These changes might include puckering, dimpling, a rash, redness, or a new sore on the breast skin that doesn't have an apparent cause.