Skip to content

Are dimples on the breast common?

Page last modified on: October 20, 2008
Question from Trudy: I didn't find a lump, but a dimple. Is this common?
Answers —Cecilia Brennecke, M.D.: We talked about what you feel with the self-exam, but an important part is to look in the mirror and look for a dimple. The breast should be outwardly round—it should curve outward and not pull in. A dimple is a pulling in of the skin, and it may occur when you raise your arm or lean forward. When you lean forward and raise your arm, the breast should stay outwardly round; it should not pull back in. That may be a sign of cancer, and it should be checked.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: If you've had breast surgery before and you have some scars, you might find that the breast will pull in around a scar. Of course, this is a different situation. Anything that is new or different about your breast is important to make note of. You may also see changes in the color of your breast, such as pinkness or redness. You may see a rash on your breast. Some women may notice that their nipple is getting crusty or irregular. You may also notice a discharge out of the nipple. All of these changes are important to bring to the attention of your doctor. Another important finding is enlargement of the breast. There is a very unusual type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer that involves enlargement of the breast, pinkness or redness of a significant part of the breast, or thickening of the skin, and only half the time is there a lump to be felt.
Cecilia Brennecke, M.D.: We should stress here that breast enlargement alone is not necessarily a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. I see a lot of women who are worried about a change in breast size, and inflammatory cancer is rare. If the breast doesn't have any of those other features, if it still looks soft and pale and the color is normal, there may be nothing to worry about.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Cancer Screening. Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, breast self-exams, physical exams by a doctor, and other topics related to breast cancer screening.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D.Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D. is a radiologist and medical director at Johns Hopkins at Greenspring in Baltimore, Maryland. As a breast imaging specialist, she interprets mammography, performs ultrasound and breast MRI, conducts clinical breast exams, and performs the newest image-guided biopsy procedures.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.