Powered By
Continue with Facebook
Continue with your email
“Never skip your yearly mammogram!” one MyBCTeam member shared. “I had no symptoms.”
Most of the time, breast cancer is found via a screening mammogram, often before any symptoms become noticeable. However, some people find out they have breast cancer when they experience symptoms and go to their doctor. It’s important to recognize which symptoms may indicate breast cancer so you know when to seek medical care.
These symptoms may point to breast cancer, but they can also be caused by less serious conditions. That’s why it’s important to see a healthcare provider right away if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. They can recommend testing, identify the cause, and make sure you get the right treatment.
It’s also important to note that the symptoms of breast cancer are not the same as the side effects of breast cancer treatment. If you’re undergoing treatment, you may experience a different set of symptoms than the ones you see here. That said, here are some of the most common symptoms of breast cancer.
Some people experience nipple discharge as a symptom of breast cancer. It’s often clear or bloody and is not breast milk. If you’re not breastfeeding and notice any nipple discharge, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
On MyBCTeam, members have experienced different types of nipple discharge. One said, “The nipple discharge was very small and was watery and white, and it came out of a very tiny area of my nipple.”
“I had a bloody discharge,” another member shared. “It was cancer in my other breast after five years.”
A lump in your breast tissue can be a sign of breast cancer. These lumps are usually hard and may or may not be painful. Note that breasts are naturally lumpy to some degree, so you’re looking out for a new lump or tissue that feels different from the tissue around it. Some people have breast tissue that extends into the armpit area. Be sure to check for lumps in this area, and let your doctor know if you find any.
Members of MyBCTeam have experienced lumps, with different outcomes. One explained, “I knew immediately because it felt different than my usual lumpy breasts. It was hard and felt like a pea.” Another member’s lump turned out to be something else: “I found a lump on my left breast, which the doctor thinks is fat necrosis based on a 3D mammogram.”
It’s important to get all lumps checked out. A biopsy may be needed to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment if it turns out to be breast cancer.
Lumps are often discussed, and you may not realize that not everyone diagnosed with breast cancer finds a lump. That’s why knowing about other potential symptoms is also key.
If your breast tissue changes in any way, it may be a sign of breast cancer. Your breasts may start to feel thicker, or you may experience thickening in your chest area. You might also start to experience pain in your breasts or under your arms. This can be a sign of a type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer.
The skin on your breast may become thicker or discolored, and the pores may seem to get bigger. Some describe this skin change as orange peel skin (also called peau d’orange). The skin may also seem swollen or have sunken areas like pits, which is sometimes called dimpling. One member of MyBCTeam wrote, “The only indication that I had breast cancer was an indentation in my breast when I raised both arms in front of my bathroom mirror.”
Anytime your breast looks or feels different, it’s time to talk to a doctor. Breasts may change size or shape, so getting to know your breasts and what’s normal for you helps you notice any changes. Healthy breasts may be different sizes or shapes from each other, which may be normal for you. The key is to recognize that something has changed — for instance, if one breast starts to look larger or smaller than the other one when they used to be the same size and shape. Swelling in one breast may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.
One breast feeling warmer than the other can be another sign of inflammatory breast cancer. That breast may also itch, burn, or ache. “Mine started as an itchy breast years before I got diagnosed,” said one MyBCTeam member.
If there’s a noticeable temperature difference or other sensation between your breasts or between one area of your breast and another, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
Breast cancer can cause several changes to the skin of your breast. It may look red, pink, or purple, depending on your skin tone. In some cases, these changes cover at least a third of the breast. However, any discoloration is something to note. Some people also get a rash. It might look like a bugbite or a bruise, but it could indicate breast cancer.
Just like breast pain, nipple pain can be a sign of breast cancer. Nipple tenderness sometimes occurs during menstrual periods. It’s important to know your body and what’s normal for you so you can get medical advice if you’re experiencing pain at a time of the month when you usually don’t or if your pain is worse than usual.
Other nipple symptoms can also be signs of breast cancer. If your nipples become discolored, scaly, or flaky, it’s time to see a doctor. Nipple or areola rash may or may not itch, and it can appear alongside other symptoms, like swelling or pitting of the skin around the nipple.
Because these symptoms can also be caused by mastitis or skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis, it’s important to have a doctor examine you to find out what’s going on.
If you notice changes in the direction your nipple points or if it seems to be inverting, you may be experiencing signs of breast cancer. “For me, the nipple was inverted because the tumor was on the underside, pulling the nipple down,” reported one member.
It helps to know what your nipples usually look like so you’re more likely to notice these breast changes right away. Some healthy breasts naturally have an inverted nipple, which could be normal for you. If your nipples look unusual in any way, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
Metastatic breast cancer develops when cells from a breast tumor break off and spread throughout the body. These cancer cells are transported through the lymphatic system — including lymph vessels and lymph nodes — and then develop tumors in new locations. Metastatic breast cancer is also known as stage 4 breast cancer. You can be diagnosed first with metastatic breast cancer or develop it later, no matter what form or stage of breast cancer you were originally diagnosed with.
The symptoms a person with metastatic breast cancer experiences depend on where in the body tumors develop. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer can include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. They can get you tested to determine if you have cancer that has spread. Then you can choose the breast cancer treatment options that are best for you.
On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Did you experience symptoms before you were diagnosed with breast cancer? Let others know in the comments below.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
Post Lumpectomy Surgery For 1 Breast And Radiation;have Had 2 Years Ultrasound Every 6 Months Both Breasts, Need Have The Painful Mammogram?
Continue with Facebook
Continue with your email
Become a member to get even more
Join
A MyBCTeam Member
Mine was small and tucked behind and slightly hidden too. Fortunately the mammogram and ultrasound picked up the cancer and we went from there. Stage 1... a little more that the time before. The… read more
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.