Winston’s Chimney Service would like to thank our customers for helping us be able to win an award from The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) for donating the most money during their Sweep Away Breast Cancer campaign last October. We donated five percent of all of the chimney sweeps we performed in October to this foundation that promotes the importance of early detection of breast cancer, and we encouraged our customers to also make donations to this campaign. Thanks to you, we accepted a plaque from NBCF at their national convention in Orlando last month. We are proud supporters of the NBCF and would like to tell you about the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer to spread the word of the importance of early detection of this disease. 
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
Every woman should know how to perform breast self-exams and how to recognize what the early signs of breast cancer are. According to the NBCF, the signs include the following:
CHANGES IN HOW THE BREAST OR NIPPLE FEELS
These changes include tenderness in the nipple and thickening in the breast or underarm area, changes in the texture of the skin on the breast, an enlargement of pores of the skin on the breast, and a lump in the breast. If you feel a lump, you should contact your health care provider immediately to investigate this lump. Keep in mind that not all lumps are cancerous.
CHANGES IN THE APPEARANCE OF THE NIPPLE OR BREAST
Any unexplained appearance changes of the breast or nipple can also be signs of breast cancer. You should be looking for dimpling on the breast, unexplained shrinkage or swelling (especially if it is only on one side), nipple that has become inverted or inward, and scaly, red, or swollen skin of the breast, areola, or nipple. Also, look for ridges or pitting on the skin that resembles the skin of the orange. Although it is normal to have slight asymmetry of the breasts, any recent changes in the symmetry can also be a sign of breast cancer.
NIPPLE DISCHARGE
If you ever notice clear or bloody discharge from your nipples, contact your health care provider to check your breasts. Even though a milky discharge is not linked to breast cancer, it should still be checked if you are not currently breastfeeding.
If you do not know how to perform a breast self-exam, we encourage you to visit NBCF’s website to learn how to do this important self-exam.
Again, Winston’s Chimney Service would like to thank our customers for helping us raise money for this important cause. If you would like to know more about the NBCF, contact us to learn more about how you can help them fight this devastating disease.