Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Understanding Warning Signs and When to See Your Provider

Do you know the breast cancer signs you should look for? There are a variety of signs of breast cancer to be aware of, including:

  • Lump in breast tissue
  • Dimpled skin
  • Nipple pain or discharge
  • Swollen lymph nodes near the armpit
  • Redness
  • Pain

While these are reasons to get assessed by a healthcare professional, the symptoms do not mean a breast cancer diagnosis is imminent. There can be many other reasons these symptoms can present. That's why seeing a healthcare professional right away is so important.

This article discusses signs of breast cancer, the differences and similarities in signs among Black women, when to see a provider, and the benefits of early breast cancer care.

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Rare Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Changes in the Breast Tissue

Lumps, breasts that have changed size or shape, and swelling in breast tissue are all common symptoms of breast cancer. It is also possible for these breast changes to be completely benign.

symptoms of breast cancer
 Verywell / Gary Ferster

Lumps

Most women experience lumps in their breast tissue at some time or another, usually related to the hormonal shifts that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Still, lumps can also be a sign of breast cancer.

Knowing your breasts is an important way for you to be able to detect changes and potentially discover new lumps.

Finding a new lump on your breast can be scary, especially if breast cancer runs in your family, but not all lumps turn out to be breast cancer. Fibrocystic breast condition and cysts are common causes of lumps. All breast lumps need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider, regardless of your age or where in your breast you feel the lump. 

If you have a history of cysts, mastitis, or fibrosis, you may feel compelled to take a wait-and-see approach, but the following changes to your lump may be particularly concerning and should prompt you to see a healthcare provider: 

  • Changes in the skin over the lump
  • Nipple changes, including enlargement or bloody discharge
  • Changes in the size of the lump

Change In Size or Shape

Uneven breasts and changes in breast size are normal. Changes in the size or shape of breasts can sometimes be indicative of underlying breast health concerns, including the possibility of breast cancer. It's important to be aware of such changes and consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation. Here are some potential signs to be mindful of:

  • Asymmetry: New and noticeable unevenness between the two breasts
  • Increased size: A sudden increase in the size of breasts for no reason (such as pregnancy or breastfeeding)

Swelling

Swelling in one or both breasts can be a concerning sign that warrants attention, as it may indicate underlying breast health issues, including the possibility of breast cancer. Persistent and unexplained enlargement or swelling in one breast, compared to the other, should be thoroughly evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Swelling, or breast edema, might also occur as a side effect of breast cancer treatment. If you have recently undergone treatment for breast cancer and notice swelling, ask your care team if swelling might be a side effect of treatment.

Changes in the Breast's Skin

Changes in the skin of the breasts might be a sign of breast cancer. Look for:

  • Redness or darkening of the breast: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that can present with symptoms that mimic an infection.
  • Dimpling: Skin resembling an orange peel can indicate a tumor developing underneath.
  • Breast puckering: If you develop an indentation of the breasts when your arm is up that retracts when you put your arms down, you may have breast puckering, a sometimes subtle sign of breast cancer.
  • Flaky Skin: Unexplained flaking or peeling of the skin on the breast, particularly if it persists or occurs without an apparent cause, can be a potential sign of breast cancer.
  • Skin Irritation: Persistent skin irritation, such as itching or soreness, may indicate underlying breast health concerns.

Changes in the Nipple

Nipple changes can serve as important indicators of potential breast health issues, including the presence of breast cancer. It's crucial to pay attention to any alterations in the appearance or behavior of the nipples and seek medical evaluation if needed. These are key nipple changes that may be associated with breast cancer:

  • Inversion or retraction: Sudden inversion or retraction of the nipple, where it pulls inward instead of pointing outward.
  • Changes in position or direction: Any noticeable shifts in the position or direction of the nipple.
  • Discharge: Unexplained nipple discharge, other than breast milk, may raise concerns and should be thoroughly examined by a healthcare professional.
  • Texture changes: Changes in the texture of the nipple, such as thickening or the development of a scaly or crusted surface.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of breast cancer, although cancer is not the only reason lymph nodes can feel swollen. Look for:

  • Size Increase: Noticeable enlargement of lymph nodes, particularly those close to the breast
  • Underarm swelling: Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm area, often felt as lumps or swelling
  • Tenderness: Pain or tenderness in the lymph nodes that persists and is unrelated to other known causes
  • Fixed Nodes: Nodes that feel firm or fixed in place rather than mobile

Breast Pain

Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is a common symptom in women of reproductive age. Often, breast pain is associated with fluctuating hormones during the menstrual cycle or as a side effect of breastfeeding. Most breast pain is related to something other than cancer. However, there are some cases to be aware of:

  • Focal pain: Pain focused on one specific area or breast is a reason to speak to a healthcare professional.
  • Not cyclical: Unlike cyclical breast pain related to the menstrual cycle, persistent and non-cyclical pain may be a cause for further investigation.
  • Pain after menopause: Breast pain after menopause can be caused by many things, including possibly breast cancer. It can feel like soreness, tightening, or burning.

Risk factors for breast cancer include:

  • People assigned female at birth
  • Genetic factors
  • Family history of breast cancer
  • Dense breast tissue
  • Early onset of menstruation
  • Lifestyle factors like drinking alcohol, obesity, and physical inactivity

Breast Cancer Symptoms and Black Women

While Black and White women have the same symptoms, Black women are more likely to have triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancer, which may present with:

  • Breast pain
  • Darkening of the breasts
  • Rapid changes in breast size
  • A hard, painless lump
  • Dimpling of the skin
  • Inflamed breasts that are red, swollen, and tender
symptoms of breast cancer in black women

Julie Bang / Verywell

Black women are also more likely to have aggressive tumor features, such as more distant vs. localized disease, large tumor size, and more highly mutated cells, highlighting the need for inclusive research that looks into differences in tumor biology among races and ethnicities.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Symptoms and Black Women

Black women are 70% more likely to develop IBC than White women. If you experience the below symptoms in your breasts, contact a healthcare provider immediately to prevent potentially life-threatening complications:

  • Painful swelling
  • Redness on at least one-third of the breast
  • Breast tissue that is warm to the touch

When to See a Provider

If you display any of the above-mentioned potential signs of breast cancer, see a healthcare provider to determine whether your symptoms may be attributed to something more common, or if you should undergo testing such as a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, or other testing.

Breast Cancer Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Doctor Discussion Guide Woman

Benefits of Early Care

Early detection and care for breast cancer offer several significant benefits, greatly impacting treatment outcomes and overall survival rates. Prompt intervention allows for:

  • More treatment options: Identifying breast cancer in its early stages often provides a wider range of treatment options, including less aggressive interventions and increased chances of successful outcomes.
  • Improved survival rates: Early detection is associated with higher survival rates. In one study, annual mammograms starting at age 40 showed a 40% reduction in death from breast cancer.
  • Minimized treatment intensity: Early-stage breast cancer may require less extensive and less aggressive treatments.
  • Preservation of breast tissue: In some cases, early detection enables breast-conserving surgeries, for example, the ability to remove a lump instead of doing a mastectomy.

Summary

Knowing the signs of breast cancer empowers people to take charge of their breast health. Key indicators of breast cancer might include lumps, changes in breast size or shape, nipple changes, swollen lymph nodes, skin alterations, and breast pain. While these symptoms are reasons to consult a healthcare professional, there are other reasons someone might display these symptoms that are not cancer-related.

Black women have an increased risk of more aggressive forms of cancer with pain, changes in breast size or color, dimpled skin, a hard painless lump, or inflamed breasts.

Early breast cancer detection can significantly improve outcomes. If you have any breast symptoms that are concerning, see a healthcare provider.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Shamard Charles, MD, MPH
Shamard Charles, MD, MPH is a public health physician and journalist. He has held positions with major news networks like NBC reporting on health policy, public health initiatives, diversity in medicine, and new developments in health care research and medical treatments.