Cancer Breast Cancer Symptoms Breast Cancer Guide Breast Cancer Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Prevention Symptoms of Breast Cancer By Pam Stephan Pam Stephan is a breast cancer survivor. Learn about our editorial process Pam Stephan Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on May 22, 2019 Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Doru Paul, MD Updated on March 01, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor Next in Breast Cancer Guide What Is Known About the Causes of Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women. The disease rarely causes symptoms until it reaches a relatively late stage, but it may produce noticeable ones such as pain or a lump in the breast, changes in nipple appearance, and others. Being aware of the possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer is an important strategy when it comes to detecting the disease. The screening mammogram is considered the best tool for identifying breast cancer in people of average risk, but it does not detect all breast cancers. And while routine breast cancer screening tests are recommended for women over the age of 40, young women and men of all ages can develop the disease too. Sometimes, the effects of breast cancer can appear before the disease is detected with a mammogram. Learn how to recognize the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer so you can be properly evaluated and diagnosed, if applicable, as early as possible, when treatment outcomes are usually their best. Verywell / Gary Ferster Frequent Symptoms Over the years, your breasts can change slightly in their appearance as you gain or lose weight or go through menopause. But major alterations or rapid changes in the appearance of your breasts are concerning. While uncommon, it is possible for early breast cancer to cause signs and symptoms even without a visible change on a mammogram. Mammograms are thought to miss roughly 15% of breast cancers. The most common symptoms of breast cancer include: Swelling or lump (mass) in the breastUnusual breast pain or discomfortSwelling in the armpit (lymph nodes)Scaly or pitted skinPersistent tenderness of the breastPain in the nippleInverted or retracted nippleChange in the appearance of the nipple Keep in mind that symptoms of breast cancer require prompt medical attention (call your physician within a few days to make an appointment), so you should not wait to see if the problems clear up on their own. There are other illnesses that can affect the breasts, but breast cancer is by far the most common. Breast cancer is often fatal if left untreated, but it is also very treatable, so early diagnosis and intervention can save your life. Rare Symptoms There are a few uncommon types of breast cancer that are often symptomatic. For example, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), an aggressive type of breast cancer, typically produces a rash on the skin of the affected breast rather than a lump. But any type of breast cancer can produce unexpected symptoms. Rare symptoms of breast cancer, including IBC, include: A sudden increase in breast size (after puberty)Itching of the skin of the breast that is not relieved by pills or creamsChange in breast skin color, which can produce pink, red, or dark-colored areasA breast that is warmer to the touch than the rest of the bodyClear or bloody nipple dischargeUlcers of the skin of the breast skin or the nipples Performing Self-Checks Many experts recommend that women perform monthly self-checks at mid-cycle (two weeks after your menstrual period). If you detect any changes in the size or texture of your breasts, or if you notice any lumps or tender areas, you should discuss these issues with your doctor. While there has been debate on whether self-breast checks are effective in detecting breast cancer, many breast cancer survivors claim that doing these exams saved their life. From a scientific viewpoint there is evidence that supports this. The average size of a breast cancer at the time of detection is 1.0 centimeters in women who perform regular self-breast exams, and 2.62 centimeters in women who do not perform these exams. How Fast Does Breast Cancer Grow and Spread? Complications Metastatic breast cancer is defined as cancer that spreads beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other parts of the body. It is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and is associated with a poorer prognosis than breast cancer that has not metastasized. Roughly 5% to 10% of breast cancers are metastatic (stage 4) at the time they are diagnosed. This is referred to as "de novo" metastatic breast cancer. The remaining 90% to 95% of metastatic breast cancers are due to a distant recurrence of a previous early stage (stage 1, 2 or 3) breast cancer. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include: Decreased appetiteUnintentional weight lossAbdominal pain, nausea, vomitingFatigueBone pain or back painShortness of breathJaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin)HeadachesSeizuresWeakness or numbness of one or more limbs Metastatic Site Symptoms Recurrence of breast cancer can occur after breast cancer of any stage is treated. Recurrence is classified as local, regional, and distant: A local recurrence is breast cancer that has returned in or close to the original tumor location. Symptoms of a local recurrence often involve a small lump or a rash, bleeding, or discoloration of the excision scar.Regional recurrence may occur in the chest wall or in the lymph nodes. Symptoms of a regional recurrence include pain or swelling in the chest, underneath the armpit, above the collarbone, or on the side of the neck (on the same side where the cancer was previously removed).A distant recurrence can affect any area of the body and it causes the same symptoms as metastatic breast cancer. Many people know of someone who had a recurrence of their breast cancer many years or even decades after the original tumor. We are learning that this is not uncommon. In fact, for women who have estrogen receptor positive tumors, the cancer is more likely to recur after 5 years than in the first 5 years following diagnosis. Late Recurrence of Breast Cancer A new tumor with different pathology (microscopic appearance) than the original breast cancer is not considered a recurrence. It is called a new primary cancer and it can occur in a different area of the breast or in the opposite breast. A new primary cancer has to be diagnosed with a biopsy and treated based on its characteristics, not based on the characteristics of the original tumor. Being diagnosed with breast cancer increases your risk of developing another primary breast cancer. When to See a Doctor Early detection of breast cancer is the best way to protect your health. Women over the age of 40 are advised to have yearly screening mammograms. Even if you do not have any risk factors for breast cancer, you need to follow the recommendations regarding breast cancer screening. And if you have an increased risk of breast cancer—due to a personal history of breast cancer, a family history of breast cancer, or a known genetic mutation—you may be advised to have genetic testing or special testing in addition to the recommended mammograms, even before you reach the age of 40. For example, with BRCA mutations breast MRI screening is recommended. Early screening with MRI is also recommended for some people who have non BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk as well as for childhood cancer survivors. Special tests may also be recommended for women who have dense breasts. The term "dense breasts" is not based on how your breasts feel, but rather, is a term radiologists use to describe certain changes seen on a mammogram. Policy now requires women to be informed if they have dense breasts (which also raises the risk of breast cancer) so that further testing can be considered. Combination mammogram and ultrasound has been done in some cases, but newer testing combining mammogram with fast MRI may detect even more cancers. Fast MRI for Breast Cancer Screening In addition to recommended screening, it is important that you see a doctor promptly if you notice a change in your breasts or if you feel a new breast mass or lump. These issues could be due to benign concerns, but a doctor should make that determination. That said, be your own advocate. If you are concerned about a change in your breast and your doctor is not, honor your intuition and get a second opinion. One of the most common reasons for medical malpractice suits is missed breast cancer. Benign vs. Cancerous Lumps Breast Cancer Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Breast cancer affects one out of every eight women throughout their lifetime. Learning to check for symptoms of breast cancer and being able to recognize them, should they present, is an important part of taking care of your health. Listen to your body, and if your doctor does not share your concern, consider a second opinion. What Is Known About the Causes of Breast Cancer Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast cancer statistics. Updated May 28, 2019. American Cancer Society. Limitations of mammograms. Updated October 3, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? Updated September 11, 2018. National Breast Cancer Foundation. Breast self-exam. Mariotto AB, Etzioni R, Hurlbert M, Penberthy L, Mayer M. Estimation of the number of women living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2017;26(6):809-815. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-16-0889 Pan H, Gray R, Braybrooke, J, et al. 20-Year Risks of Breast-Cancer Recurrence after Stopping Endocrine Therapy at 5 Years. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377:1836-1846. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1701830 Qaseem A, Lin JS, Mustafa RA, Horwitch CA, Wilt TJ. Screening for breast cancer in average-risk women: A guidance statement from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(8):547-560. doi:10.7326/M18-2147 Panigrahi B, Mullen L, Falomo E, Panigrahi B, Harvey S. An Abbreviated Protocol for High-risk Screening Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Impact on Performance Metrics and BI-RADS Assessment. Acad Radiol. 2017;24(9):1132-1138. doi:10.1016/j.acra.2017.03.014 Breastcancer.org. U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Updated February 13, 2019. Additional Reading Bast, R., Croce, C., Hait, W. et al. Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. Wiley Blackwell, 2017 Koo MM, von Wagner C, Abel GA, McPhail S, Rubin GP, Lyratzopoulos G. Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals: Evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiol. 2017 Jun;48:140-146. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.010 Epub 2017 May 23. Polek C, Hardie T. Are changes in breast self-exam recommendations and early misperceptions of breast cancer risk increasing women's future risks? J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2016 Jul;28(7):379-86. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12325. Epub 2015 Nov 24.