11 Signs of Breast Cancer Everyone Should Know About

Lumps

A mass or lump that doesn't hurt is one of the first signs of breast cancer that most people notice, says Dr. Rao. The lump can be hard or soft, movable or fixed. Also, don't forget to check up in the tissue that extends into your armpit, she adds. Anything that feels different or abnormal anywhere in the breast should get checked out. And just because you've had a prior mass that turned out to be a cyst or fibroadenoma (a type of benign tumor) doesn't mean this one is the same — it's important to show your doc every new lump.

Pain and Tenderness

Pain isn't a common symptom of breast cancer, so if you're feeling achy in the chest, chances are much more likely that your menstrual cycle is the culprit. Also, wearing the wrong bra size can cause pain just above the nipple, says Dr. Nangia. However, for those with inflammatory breast cancer, pain and tenderness in the area can often be one of the early signs. If the pain is really bad, or if it doesn't go away, you'll want to consult your doctor about it.

One sign that it has metastasized (translation: spread to other organs), though, is pain in other parts of your body, such as the low back or hips. Any pain that you have continuously for more than two weeks should get checked out, says Dr. Rao.

Prominent Veins

Veins that visually stick out on the surface of the breast can be signs of breast cancer. A mass of cancer can block the free flow of blood, causing your veins to become engorged, explains Dr. Rao. This can also be caused by activities such as breastfeeding, though, adds Dr. Nangia.

Nipple Discharge

Anything coming out of your nipples will probably set off alarm bells, but most discharge here is usually benign, particularly if it's milky, says Dr. Nangia. "For cancer, discharge is usually unilateral, in a large amount, and bloody," she explains. Regardless of what it looks like, get this potential early sign of breast cancer checked out.

Redness

"The skin changes we often see in the breast from cancer are redness with warmth," says Dr. Nangia. An overall darkening isn't of worry, but big red patches can particularly be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer (especially alongside swollen breasts). Often, people mistake this as an infection — which it sometimes is, especially if you're breastfeeding, adds Dr. Rao. If the redness doesn't go away, though, your doc will do a skin biopsy to rule cancer out.

Dimpling of the Skin

Another of the most common skin changes from cancer is an orange-peel appearance on the skin. This happens when the cancer is pulling at the skin due to involvement, says Dr. Nangia.

An Inverted Nipple

In some cases, the tumor will almost tether to the duct behind the nipple or your skin, causing it to retract and pull inward. If you developed this after breastfeeding, that's normal, notes Dr. Nangia. But otherwise, have any inversions of the nipple or skin checked out, as this could be an early sign of breast cancer.

Small Pink Bumps

Red spots on your breast, called papules, are often a sign of a noncancerous condition, but can also be early signs of breast cancer, explains Dr. Nangia. This can sometimes look like a rash or tiny bug bites.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes are generally a sign of infection; if it's persistent, you definitely want to get it checked since it can be a sign of cancer that's spread. Swollen nodes under your armpits, in particular, are signs of breast cancer specifically.

Sudden Asymmetry or Changes In Size

Changes in the way your breasts look are a leading symptom of breast cancer, particularly swelling or shrinking, as well as asymmetry from one side to the other, says Dr. Nangia.

Prolonged Abnormalities

"If a woman has a history of breast cancer and she has any symptoms for more than two weeks, she should go to her doctor and get a work-up if needed," says Dr. Rao. Most non-cancerous problems are better after two weeks, but if the cancer has spread, it can manifest as headaches, seizures, pain in your bones, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or even simply fatigue.