Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Breast cancer signs and symptoms fall into four categories:

• Changes in how the breast or nipple feels
• Changes in the appearance or texture of the breast or nipple (less common)
• Nipple discharge (not including breast milk)
• Lumps or swelling in areas surrounding the breast (underarm or lymph nodes)

The most common warning sign of breast cancer is a lump or mass that develops in the breast tissue or breast area. Some women may find the lump themselves while showering or during a breast self-exam, or their doctors may feel it during a clinical breast exam. In some cases, the mass may be too small to feel and is only discovered on a mammogram or ultrasound exam. 

Breast cancer symptoms include:

• Mass or lump in the breast or armpit
• Skin redness
• Dimpling or puckering on the breast
• Scaliness on nipple (sometimes extending to the areola)
• Nipple changes, including the nipple turning inward, pulling to one side or changing direction
• Ulcer on the breast or nipple (sometimes extending to the areola)
• Thickening of the skin, resulting in an orange-peel texture
• Swelling of the breast

Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms tend to develop quickly and do not include a lump. The first signs of inflammatory breast cancer may include:

• Sudden swelling of one breast 
• Itchy breast
• Pink, red or dark colored area on the breast
• Dimpling of the breast skin
• Ridges and thickened skin areas on the breast
• Breast feels warm to the touch
• Flattened or inverted nipple
• Breast pain or tenderness

Mammograms and clinical breast screenings can detect breast cancer even before symptoms arise. The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the more likely the patient’s chances of successful breast cancer treatment.