Cancerbackup: Symptoms

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Symptoms of breast cancer

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 usually not 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.


Content last reviewed: 01 September 2008
Page last modified: 14 January 2009

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