Breast cancer symptoms: Common and lesser known

In the United States, about 12% of women develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. But as for who gets the disease, that’s not so easy to predict.

“A lot of times, women think family history is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer,” said Dr. Rae Ann Williams, who leads the Internal Medicine department at HealthPartners. “But the data tells us that most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have any family history of the disease.”

This is why it’s so important to make breast cancer prevention a priority – like keeping up on routine preventive care checkups and following breast cancer screening guidelines by getting regular mammograms.

While preventive care is vital, knowing your breasts and what’s normal for you is extremely important for your breast health, too. This means you should be on the lookout for changes. This also means you shouldn’t ignore certain symptoms.

So, what should you be watching for? And if you’ve noticed a change in your breasts, which symptoms can be a sign of something more serious? Below, we share common and lesser-known signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

The most common sign of breast cancer is a new breast lump

Many people don’t experience any symptoms of breast cancer in the early stages of the disease. But if they do, a lump, mass or thickening in the breast or underarm is often the first noticeable sign of breast cancer. But it’s important to know that not all breast lumps are cancerous.

Breast cysts and fibroadenomas are two common types of benign breast lumps that women experience. Conditions such as fat necrosis and infection can show up as lumps, too.

Some breast lumps can be painful, but most lumps caused by breast cancer don’t hurt. Breast cysts and normal lumpy breast tissue can sometimes cause pain without being cancerous. This is why it’s important to talk with a doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your breast health.

If you notice a new lump, make an appointment with a primary care doctor or a breast health specialist at a breast center. This holds true even if you’ve had a normal mammogram that didn’t detect any problems or if you think you’re too young to get breast cancer. Women of all ages can get breast cancer.

And if you’ve been having localized breast pain that doesn’t go away and you’re not sure what’s causing it, don’t wait too long to have it checked by a doctor or breast health specialist.

Lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer

While a breast lump is the most common breast cancer symptom, there are some types of breast cancer that don’t typically cause lumps. That’s why it’s good to be aware of other symptoms.

Less common breast cancer symptoms include changes to the appearance, feel or function of your breasts, nipples or lymph nodes. But as with breast lumps, these symptoms can also be signs of other conditions.

So, if you notice any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or a breast health specialist.

A nipple that turns inward

Nipple shape can change with age or if you’ve experienced an infection or injury. But if a nipple suddenly flattens or becomes inverted (turns inwards), it can sometimes be a sign that breast cancer is forming behind the nipple.

Breast skin that dimples or thickens

If skin starts to look dimpled (like an orange peel) or seems thicker than in the past, this can be a sign of an infection or, in rare instances, inflammatory breast cancer. This is a type of breast cancer in which cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.

Breast skin that changes color

There are a range of conditions that may cause changes in skin color. But if skin color changes are located on your breasts, this can be a sign of cancer in some cases. If you have lighter skin, skin may look pink or red. If you have darker skin, the breast may look red, purple or darker than the surrounding skin. In some cases, the change in color is caused by a rash that spreads along the breast.

Breast or nipple skin that’s flaky or develops sores

Unusual discharge from the nipple

Breast milk is the only substance that should come out of a nipple. Bleeding or unusual discharge can signal a treatable infection, especially if you’re lactating. But bloody or clear discharge from a single milk duct can be a breast cancer symptom in some cases and should be evaluated by a doctor or clinician.

A breast that changes in size or shape

Breast cancer can cause breasts to grow bigger or decrease in size. All or part of the breast may become swollen. Tumors, even ones you can’t feel, can add new curves to breasts or cause the surrounding tissue to pull in. This can make it look like the breast has shrunk.

Changes can be subtle, or one breast may look noticeably larger or differently shaped than the other. Either way, this is why breast awareness – knowing what is normal for you – is so important.

Lymph nodes that are swollen

Swollen lymph nodes are common. They’re often caused by infections, including a cold or sore throat. Vaccines can also increase the size of lymph nodes on the side where the injection was given. If lymph nodes are swollen because of an illness, they should return to normal once you’re feeling better. But if swelling lasts for more than a month or continues to get worse, it may be a sign of something more serious, including breast cancer.

Pain in the breast or nipple

Most causes of breast pain are noncancerous. For example, many women have breast pain during menstrual cycles. And if you’re pregnant or approaching menopause, changing levels of hormones can make pain worse.

But if you’ve been having localized breast pain that doesn’t go away and you’re not sure what’s causing it, don’t ignore it. Make an appointment with a primary care doctor or breast health specialist.

Remember, most people don’t have early signs of breast cancer

Many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer say they didn’t notice any symptoms before their diagnosis. This is why regular breast cancer screenings are so strongly advised.

When you’re about 40 years old, we recommend starting the conversation with your doctor about when to have annual screening mammograms. If you think that you might be at an increased risk of breast cancer, start the conversation with your doctor before age 40. Depending on your risk factors, overall health and personal preferences, you and your doctor can work together to decide what’s right for you.

Have questions or concerns about your breast health? Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Thanks in large part to earlier detection and advances in breast cancer staging and treatment, this disease is more survivable than ever. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early – and is in the localized stage – the five-year relative survival rate is 99%.

So if you’re due for a screening, make an appointment at one of our mammogram locations across the Twin Cities and in western Wisconsin. Oftentimes, we can offer same-day and next-day appointments.

If you have another breast health concern or are noticing any unusual symptoms, don’t ignore what you’re feeling. Make an appointment with a primary care doctor. They’re experts in diagnosing and treating hundreds of conditions, and connecting you with the care you need.