Cancer of the breast female - Symptoms of breast cancer

The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast. Most lumps (90%) are not cancerous, but it is always best to have them checked by your doctor.

See your GP if you notice any of the following:

• a lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
• a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
• a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
• dimpling on the skin of your breasts
• a rash on or around your nipple
• a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
• pain in either of your breasts or armpits that is not related to your period

Want to know more?

• Breast Cancer Care: Changes to look and feel for.
• Cancer Research UK: Breast cancer symptoms.
• Macmillan: What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Breast awareness

So that you can pick up any changes as soon as possible, it is important to be breast aware. Get to know what is normal for you. For instance, your breasts may look or feel different at different times of your life. This will make it much easier to spot any potential problems.

Want to know more?

• Breast Cancer Care: Your breasts, your health: throughout your life (PDF, 865Kb).
• Breast Cancer Care: Your breasts, your health: a quick guide to being breast aware (PDF, 3.12MB).
• Breakthrough Breast Cancer: Breast awareness.