Women are often their own strongest allies in the fight against breast cancer. Women who have not been diagnosed with the disease still have an important role to play in combating it and potentially reducing its impact on their lives.

The World Cancer Research Fund reports that breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Though the disease does not always produce symptoms in its early stages, women can keep an eye out for these signs each day, including when conducting self-exams.

∫ New lump or mass: This is perhaps the most widely known symptom of breast cancer, but it’s important that women avoid jumping to conclusions should they uncover a new lump or mass during a self-exam. That’s because most breast lumps are not cancer according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS notes a painless, hard mass with irregular edges is more likely to be cancer but also acknowledges cancer-related lumps or masses can be soft, round, tender, or painful.

∫ Swelling of all or part of a breast: Swelling may be a sign of breast cancer even if no lump is felt.

∫ Skin dimpling: The dimpling that may be symptomatic of breast cancer can look like the exterior of an orange peel.

∫ Pain: Some women experience pain in the breast or nipple before a breast cancer diagnosis.

∫ Nipple retraction: This symptom is marked by the nipple turning inward.

∫ Skin issues on the nipple or breast: Skin on the nipple or breast may redden, dry, flake, or thicken when a woman has breast cancer.

∫ Nipple discharge: The discharge will be something other than breast milk.

∫ Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone, which may indicate cancer has spread even before the original tumor in the breast reached a size large enough to be felt.