Breast cancer is cancer that develops in breast cells. Typically, the cancer forms in either the lobules or the ducts of the breasts. This type of cancer can occur in women and rarely in men.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
In its early stages, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. In many cases, a tumour may be too small to be felt, but an abnormality can still be seen on a mammogram.
If a tumour can be felt, the first sign is usually a new lump in the breast that was not there before. However, not all lumps are cancer.
Each type of breast cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Many of these symptoms are similar, but some can be different. Symptoms for the most common breast cancers include:
- A breast lump or tissue thickening that feels different from surrounding tissue and is new
- Breast pain
- Red or discolored, pitted skin on the breast
- Swelling in all or part of your breast
- An unusual nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Bloody discharge from your nipple
- Peeling, scaling, or flaking of skin on your nipple or breast
- A sudden, unexplained change in the shape or size of your breast
- Newly inverted nipple
- Changes to the appearance of the skin on your breasts
- A lump or swelling under your arm
If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer. For instance, pain in your breast or a breast lump can be caused by a benign cyst.
Still, if you find a lump in your breast or have other symptoms, contact your doctor for further examination and testing.
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