Breast Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms

The signs for breast cancer are not the same for all people, and some show no signs at all in early stages. However, there are some common breast cancer signs and symptoms, like lumps or swelling in the breast, that you should be aware of.

It’s important to consult your physician if you notice any changes in your breasts, or if you notice any of the following symptoms.

Breast Cancer

  • A lump in the breast, under the arm or around collarbone
  • Change in breast size or shape
  • Thickening of breast or underarm
  • Nipple retraction or nipple discharge
  • Dimpled skin or skin resembling orange peel 
  • Tenderness or pain in breast or nipple
  • Irritation, redness, scaliness, or swelling on the breast, nipple, or skin near the nipple 

Male Breast Cancer

  • Redness or scaliness on the skin and around the nipple
  • A nipple that turns inward
  • Nipple discharge
  • A lump or swelling in the chest or underarm area, typically without pain
  • Puckering or dimpling skin
  • Change in the size or shape of the breast

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

  • Sudden increase in the size of one breast
  • Feeling of heaviness, aching, soreness, stabbing pain, or tenderness in the breast
  • Breast becomes swollen or warm to the touch
  • Recurring itching, burning, or other pain in the breast
  • Dimpled skin, like an orange peel
  • Change in texture or color of the skin on the breast, including ridges, rash, pitted, puckering, and roughness
  • Nipple discharge, flattening, or inversion
  • Swelling of lymph nodes on the underarm or collar bone 
  • A persistent bruise; redness, pink, or reddish-purple coloration; or what looks like a bug bite on the breast
  • Lump or thickening of the breast tissue
  • Feeling the reflex of the release of milk from the breast, similar to nursing a baby