What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

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A breast lump

The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast. Note: most breast lumps are not cancerous. Most breast lumps are fluid filled cysts or fibroadenomas (a clumping of glandular tissue) which are benign. However, you should always see a doctor if a lump develops as the breast lump may be cancerous.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms which may be noticed in the affected breast include:

• Changes in the size or shape of a breast.
  * Dimpling or thickening of some of the skin on a part of a breast.
  * The nipple becomes inverted (turns in).
  * Rarely, a discharge from a nipple occurs (which may be bloodstained).
  * A rare type of breast cancer causes a rash around the nipple which can look similar to a small patch of eczema.
  * Rarely, pain in a breast. Note: pain is not a usual early symptom. Many women develop painful breasts (mastalgia) and this is not usually caused by cancer.

  The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes (glands) in the armpit (axilla). If this occurs you may develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body then various other symptoms can develop.