Breast Cancer may show different symptoms in different people. 

It can be difficult for you to notice the symptoms in the early stages as they are not quite evident. But timely detection can help in early treatment and better results.

Although the most common symptom you can notice is a lump, several other alarming signs can also help you detect Breast Cancer.

1 in every 6 women with Breast Cancer symptoms doesn’t include a lump.

You may feel pain, changing skin texture, the different appearance of breasts or nipples, etc.

This article will explore early and later symptoms of Breast Cancer so that you can treat it quickly and be a Breast Cancer survivor.

Early signs of Breast Cancer

Most women can notice the first signs of Breast Cancer as some physical changes happen in and around the breasts and other areas of the body. 

The early Breast Cancer symptoms include the following:

Lump

A new lump in your breasts or underarm (armpit) is the most common symptom of Breast Cancer. 

In a study of 56 symptoms of women’s Breast Cancer, a breast lump had a frequency of 83%.

A lump is a hard mass with irregular edges and is mostly painless. However, some breast lumps can be soft, round, tender, or painful.

Aside from the breasts or armpit, a lump may sometimes appear on the collarbone.

Warning
Check with your doctor if you notice a lump, as not all lumps are cancerous; some can be benign.

Breast pain

breast pain
Breast pain

Breast pain is a common symptom of many non-cancerous diseases, but it can also be noticed in women with Breast Cancer. 

You may feel discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region. If this pain doesn’t go away after your next period, it can be a potential symptom of Breast Cancer.

Changes in the nipple

You may sometime notice that your nipple appears differently. 

It can turn inward. An inverted nipple is prevalent in 10-20% of the general population.

Apart from inversion, the nipple may even pull to one side, dimple, or change direction. 

These changes are not only seen in Breast Cancer cases; they can also happen as a factor of aging in both men and women.

Fact
In the US, 1 in every 100 cases of Breast Cancer is found in a man.

Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is not a common symptom of Breast Cancer, but it can be an early sign. It accounts for 5% of all Breast Cancer-related symptoms.

If you have Breast Cancer, you may notice the following signs in nipple discharge: 

  • The discharge is bloody or clear
  • It comes out of only one breast
  • It comes out without you touching or squeezing your nipple

Redness and irritation

Women with Breast Cancer may show symptoms of redness and irritation in the breasts. 

It is mainly seen in cases of inflammatory Breast Cancer. 

You may notice a rash, swelling on one side, redness, or a change in the color of the breast’s skin. 

The color change may depend on the skin tone; it can be darker or lighter.

Later Breast Cancer signs

Some symptoms of Breast Cancer are not suddenly noticed. 

It takes time to be evident. The later signs of Breast Cancer include:

Enlargement of the breast

You may notice changes in your breasts’ size, shape, or appearance. 

However, this change can also be because of other factors like lactation.

The enlargement of breasts happens in inflammatory Breast Cancer, a rapidly developing and rare type of Breast Cancer. 

This type of Breast Cancer mainly affects one breast’s appearance that can be noticeable over several weeks. 

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, the left breast is more likely to develop Cancer than the right.

Breast dimpling

Dimpling of the breast surface is primarily seen in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), the second most common type of Breast Cancer.

It is also prevalent in inflammatory Breast Cancer and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Breast dimpling means that your breast’s skin has a texture similar to an orange peel. 

It can look like a stretch mark, so it’s hard to differentiate between them.

A lump that gets bigger

There is no standard size for cancerous breast lumps. 

Some might be smaller than a pea, while others might be bigger. 

No matter how big or little a lump is, it could lead to Cancer.

Nevertheless, the chance of Cancer spreading to other body areas increases the longer a cancerous lump grows. 

This is why people must consult a doctor when they find a lump in their breast, whether big or small.

Weight loss

If you have Breast Cancer, you may have a loss of appetite, due to which you may have unintentional weight loss.

It can be seen in Metastatic Breast Cancer, often known as stage IV, which has spread to another part of the body, most frequently the bones, lungs, brain, or liver.

Your appetite may also be impacted by stress, depression, sickness, constipation, and changes in your sense of taste or smell.

Recommended Article:
Read Breast Cancer Treatment: Options at Different Stages to learn about various Breast Cancer treatments.

A normal breast

As you have read these symptoms mentioned above, it doesn’t mean that if you have had any of these symptoms in your lifetime, it was or is Breast Cancer. 

These symptoms can also occur normally in certain phases of your life, such as:

  • Before or during menstruation: Your breasts might feel sore, tender, or painful. During this time, you can experience one or more lumps because of a surplus of breast fluid
  • During pregnancy: Your breasts may feel lumpy. This is typically caused by the growing  quantity and size of milk-producing glands 
  • Approaching Menopause: Your breasts may feel tender and lumpier. It may stop after Menopause as the hormone level drops

Remember, there is no definition of a normal breast. Something normal to you may not be normal to the other person, as every breast is different.

Breast self-check

Breast Cancer self test
Breast Cancer self test

You can check for physical changes like overall breast size and shape differences. Redness, soreness, rash, swelling, and breast color change can also be noticed.

To check the most common symptom, lumps, you may follow the following steps:

  • Stand in front of a mirror in a straight position
  • Place your arms on your hips and visually inspect your breasts
  • Do the same with your arms raised
  • To feel your breasts, lie on your back. Check your left breast first with your right hand. 
  • Then to feel for lumps or other changes, move your fingers in a circular motion while using the pads of your fingers. Cover the entire breast, including the area from your abdomen to your collarbone and your chest’s center to your armpit.
  • Repeat the same with your left hand to check your right breast
  • You can also check it by repeating the same while standing or sitting

Takeaway

There can be several signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer. 

Some symptoms can be evident in the initial stages of the disease, while some may take some time.

The early and most common symptom of Breast Cancer may include a new lump on the breast, armpit, or collarbone.

Other symptoms that can be seen in early-stage Breast Cancer are changes in the nipple, breast pain, nipple discharge, and redness and irritation.

Symptoms like breast enlargement, a lump getting bigger, breast dimpling, or weight loss due to poor appetite may only be evident later during Breast Cancer.

You just need to be attentive, notice the symptoms on time, and visit your doctor immediately for a diagnosis.

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