Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer symptoms vary widely, and many people have no physical symptoms. Many types of breast cancer have similar symptoms, while certain types have unique signs.
Early signs of any type of breast cancer
In general, any of the following can be an early symptom of breast cancer:
swelling of all or part of the breast
the breast feeling tender, warm, or hard
skin irritation or dimpling
an inverted nipple (the nipple turning inward)
redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
a nipple discharge other than breast milk
a lump in the underarm area
It’s important to remember that these changes also can be signs of non-cancerous (benign) conditions, like an infection, a breast cyst, eczema, or mastitis.
And just because you have what may be an early sign of breast cancer, it doesn’t mean that the cancer is at an early stage of development. If you have symptoms, your doctor will do more tests, including a biopsy, to figure out if it is cancer, and, if so, the stage of the cancer.
Early signs of inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer has symptoms that can be different from other types of breast cancer. In many cases, inflammatory breast cancer may be mistaken for an infection. The signs include:
a feeling of thickness, heaviness, or warmth in the breast
discoloration that makes the breast look red, pink, or even bruised
dimpling, pitting, or ridges on the skin of the breast, making it look and feel like an orange peel (often referred to as peau d’orange)
welts, hives, or other breast skin changes
nipple flattening or turning inward
Early signs of male breast cancer
Male breast cancer is rare, but it does happen. Because it’s so uncommon — fewer than 1% of all breast cancer cases are in men — men aren’t routinely screened for breast cancer and may not know what to look for. Symptoms of male breast cancer include:
a firm lump in the breast, often right under the nipple
a lump in the armpit
nipple pain or turning inward
any type of nipple discharge
sores or rash on the breast
irritation, redness, dimpling, or puckering of the breast skin
changes in the size or shape of the breast
Signs of metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to parts of the body away from the breast, like the bones, liver, or lungs. The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer can be very different depending on the cancer’s location, but some signs are weight loss, back, bone, or joint pain that doesn’t go away, dry cough/shortness of breath, and vision and balance problems.
When to see your doctor
It’s important to see your doctor if you have any changes in your breasts that could be a symptom of breast cancer, including a new lump, discoloration, or swelling. This is especially important if you’re younger and haven’t started having regular mammograms yet.
If you’re having regular mammograms and notice a breast change, don’t wait until your next mammogram to find out what’s going on. Make an appointment with your doctor, even if your last mammogram was normal.
Finding breast cancer early gives you the most treatment options.
The importance of breast self-exam and regular screening
The best way to find breast cancer early is to know how your breasts look and feel. That way, if something changes, you’ll notice it right away. Performing a monthly breast self-exam is the best way to get familiar with your breasts.
If you’re age 40 or older and have an average risk of breast cancer, you should have a mammogram and a breast physical exam by your doctor every year.
If you have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer because of family history or a known genetic mutation, like a mutation in a BRCA gene, then it’s a good idea to have a breast cancer screening plan tailored to your unique situation. For example, you may have a mammogram and breast MRI each year, six months apart.
If you’re not sure what your breast cancer risk is, it’s a good idea to ask your primary care doctor or gynecologist to do a risk assessment or to refer you to a breast clinic.