A UK doctor has taken to social media with an important health message about breast cancer that could save lives.
Known as @doctornosa on TikTok, the GP is urging people to look beyond the traditional warning sign of breast lumps when checking for the disease.
"Breast cancer doesn't always start with a lump," she warned her followers, outlining five other symptoms that often go unnoticed.
It's a timely reminder, given that breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer in Britain, making up 15 per cent of all new cancer diagnoses according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The GP has urged Britons to look beyond the typical warning signs of breast cancer
|TIKTOK / GETTY
The doctor explained that skin dimpling is a critical warning sign you should never ignore, as the orange-peel texture can appear when a tumour pulls on the underlying breast tissue.
"If you ever notice dimpling on your breast, similar to orange peel, don't ignore this," she cautioned.
Another red flag is nipple inversion, with Dr Nosa explaining: "Nipple inversion, where your nipple suddenly turns inward, could be a red flag.
"You definitely want to get it checked," the GP advised.
While most people first notice a lump or thickened tissue in their breast, focusing solely on these signs means potentially missing other crucial indicators of the disease.
This occurs when a tumour tugs on the milk duct, drawing the nipple inward, or when cancer cells directly impact the nipple area.
Additional symptoms the GP highlighted include unexpected discharge.
The expert explained: "Any unexpected discharge from your breast, especially if it's bloody, you definitely want to get checked, as this could be an early sign of breast cancer."
She continued: "Any persistent redness on your breasts like this, don't assume it's just irritation. It could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, so please get it checked."
Finally, she pointed to swelling as another potential indicator, noting: "Swelling in your breast or armpit could be an early sign of breast cancer, so you definitely want to get it checked."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer in Britain
|GETTY
The doctor's message carries particular weight when it comes to survival statistics, as she explained: "Early detection is important and truly saves lives".
"If you catch breast cancer early, while it's at stage 1, survival rates approach 100 per cent," she added.
While lumps remain the most commonly noticed first sign of breast cancer, being aware of these five additional warning signs - skin dimpling, nipple changes, discharge, redness, and swelling - gives people the best chance of catching the disease early.
The GP's advice is that if you notice any of these symptoms, don't wait - get them checked immediately.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter