Breast Cancer Symptoms: Warning Signs and What Is Normal

Breast cancer symptoms differ from person to person, and some people have no signs or symptoms at all.

Warning signs

• a new lump in the breast or underarm (armpit);
• thickening or swelling of part of the breast;
• irritation or dimpling of breast skin;
• redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast;
• pulling in of the nipple, or pain in the nipple area;
• nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood;
• any change in the size or shape of the breast;
• pain in any area of the breast.

These can also be caused by conditions that aren't cancer — but if you have any of them, see your doctor right away.

CDC's video Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know (audio description) explains why it helps to know how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can tell your doctor about any changes.

What is normal?

No breast is typical, and what's normal for you may not be for someone else. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. How they look and feel can change with your period, having children, weight loss or gain, some medications, and age. See the National Cancer Institute on benign and precancerous breast lumps and conditions.

What do lumps mean?

Many conditions cause breast lumps, including cancer — but most lumps are not cancer. Two common causes:

• Fibrocystic breast condition: noncancerous changes that make breasts lumpy, tender and sore.
• Cysts: small fluid-filled sacs.

More information

• Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer? (CDC)
• Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms (National Cancer Institute)

Sources

Based on "Symptoms of Breast Cancer," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock photograph is left out.