People have been urged to lookout for an unusual sign in the armpit that could signal the UK’s most common cancer. According to experts, this symptom is one telltale sign of breast cancer. Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that there are around 56,800 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year. That's more than 150 every day, accounting for 15 percent of all new cancer cases.
While the disease can affect men and women, it is far more common in women, with around 56,400 new cases affecting them every year. Like any disease, the sooner you spot the signs of breast cancer the sooner you can seek the treatment you need and increase your chances of survival.
The most commonly known signs of the disease include a lump in their breast or a change to the breast. However, what is less known, is a symptom that can appear in the armpit. Cancer Research UK lists “a new lump” or “thickening” in the armpit as a sign to look out for. This can be caused by a swelling in the lymph nodes.
The charity 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.” Pain in the area could also signal the disease.
