In most women, breast cancer is first noticed as a painless lump in the breast. Other signs may include:

• a change in the size or shape of a breast
• dimpling of the skin of the breast
• a thickening in the breast tissue
• a nipple becoming inverted (turned in)
• a lump or thickening behind the nipple
• a rash (like eczema) affecting the nipple
• a bloodstained discharge from the nipple (this is very rare)
• a swelling or lump in the armpit.

Pain in the breast is rarely a symptom of breast cancer. In fact, many healthy women find that their breasts feel lumpy and tender before a period. Some types of benign breast lumps can be painful.