Signs and Symptoms
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER?
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The most common symptoms of breast cancer are listed below. But each individual may experience symptoms differently. Please note that early breast cancer usually does not cause pain and may cause no symptoms at all. Some breast cancers never cause symptoms or other indications of a problem.
For most patients, the cancer grows and causes changes that women and men should watch for, such as:
- a lump or thickening (a mass, swelling, skin irritation, or distortion) in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- a change in the size or shape of the breast
- a change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple (dimpled, puckered, or scaly)
- nipple discharge, erosion, inversion, or tenderness
A woman (or man) should consult a physician as soon as possible when any of these changes are noticed. Early detection and treatment are key in increasing your chances of survival.
Adapted from American Cancer Society, Breast cancer: early detection http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Breast_Cancer_Early_Detection.asp 2008
Last Medical Review: August 2010