Breast cancer
Watch this short video about the symptoms of breast cancer. It takes just over 1 minute.
Most breast lumps are not cancer. Lumps that aren’t cancer are called benign lumps.
Most benign breast lumps are:
areas of normal lumpiness. These are usually more obvious just before a period
cysts. These are sacs of fluid in the breast tissue, which are quite common
fibroadenoma. This is a collection of fibrous glandular tissue which is more common in women younger than 40
It is important to always get a breast lump checked by your GP. They will arrange for you to have tests to find out whether your lump is cancer or not.
You can’t usually feel the in your body. But they can become swollen when you have an infection or a cold.
A less common cause of swollen lymph glands in the armpit is breast cancer that has spread to this area.
Breast cancer might cause your breast to look bigger or have a different shape than usual, it might feel different.
It can help to be breast aware. This means getting to know the size, shape and feel of your breasts.
You can find out about being breast aware on our finding breast cancer early page
Skin changes of the breast include:
puckering
dimpling
rash
redness
a new sore (ulcer) in the skin of the breast that has no obvious cause
The skin might look like orange peel or the texture might feel different. Some of these symptoms may look different or be harder to see depending on your skin tone. For example, what appears red on white skin may look darker or more of a reddish brown colour on brown or black skin.
Skin changes can also be caused by other breast conditions.
Fluid leaking from the nipple when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. This can be a sign of breast cancer, but other medical conditions can also cause this.
One nipple might turn in or sink into the breast. It might look or feel different than usual.
Breast pain is common and it’s not normally due to cancer. You might get pain in one or both breasts. This usually goes away after some time. There might be no obvious reason for this pain, even if you have a lot of tests.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer. It can have different symptoms than the other more common types.
Your whole breast might look inflamed and feel sore. The breast might feel hard and the skin might look like orange peel.
Read more about inflammatory breast cancer
This is a rare skin condition. Possible symptoms include a scaly rash on the nipple and surrounding area. This can be itchy and looks a bit like eczema.
Find out about Paget's disease of the breast
Breast cancer in men is rare. The most common symptoms include a lump in the breast that is nearly always painless and changes in the nipple.
Find out about breast cancer symptoms in men
Your symptoms may not be due to breast cancer, and they may not make you feel unwell. But it is important that any symptoms you have are checked by a doctor, even if you are feeling well.
The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
Find out what to expect and get tips on seeing your GP about your breast symptoms
Some women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any symptoms. They are diagnosed after having a mammogram as part of their breast cancer screening programme.
Screening involves testing healthy people for signs that could be due to cancer. It aims to find breast cancers early when they are too small to see or feel. These small cancers are usually easier to treat than larger ones.
Read more about the breast screening programme in the UK
Pam was referred by her GP to the hospital. This is her story about her diagnosis and treatment.
"I noticed my left nipple was permanently inverted. I went to my GP as I knew this could be a warning sign of breast cancer. My doctor referred me to the local hospital for a 2 week One Stop Breast Service appointment."
Read Pam's story about her diagnosis, treatment and how she coped
Last reviewed: 19 Apr 2023
Next review due: 19 Apr 2026
Itchiness of the breast is not usually due to cancer. It is usually due to other conditions that can affect the breast such as eczema or mastitis.
You usually start by seeing your GP. Or you may have had changes picked up through breast screening. Find out about being referred to a breast clinic and the tests you might have.
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue. Find out about who gets breast cancer and where it starts.
Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early, when they have the best chance of being successfully treated. Find out about the UK breast screening programme, who has screening, and how you have it.
Get information about how doctors stage and grade breast cancer. In the UK, doctors use the TNM system to stage breast cancer. You may also be told about the number staging system.
Find out about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and how to cope with the effects on your life and relationships.
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