Symptoms of BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer begins in a cell, which divides and multiplies at an uncontrolled rate. The classic symptom for breast cancer is a lump found in the breast or armpit.

Breast cancer symptoms

This page tells you about the symptoms of breast cancer.

• swelling or lump (mass) in the breast
• pain in the nipple
• inverted (retracted) nipple
• scaly or pitted skin on nipple
• persistent tenderness of the breast
• unusual breast pain or discomfort

Symptoms Seen On Breast Imaging

Some Symptoms of Advanced (Metastatic) Breast Cancer
Stage 4, or metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of this disease. Metastatic breast cancer is defined as having spread beyond the breast and underarm lymph nodes into other parts of the body. Like breast lumps, these signs don't necessarily mean cancer.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) – Aggressive and Unusual Symptoms
One type of breast cancer that does not appear in lumps is called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Breast skin ulcers (later stage IBC)

Symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence
Recurrence of breast cancer is classified as local, regional, and distant. A distant recurrence is the same as advanced (metastatic) breast cancer.

A local recurrence is breast

Local Recurrence Symptoms:

• a small lump or rash in the excision scar, on or under the skin

Regional Recurrence Symptoms:

• swollen lymph node in the same armpit where cancer was previously removed
• swollen lymph nodes above collarbones or sides of neck

_{Source:
National Institutes of Health. Medline Plus. Breast Cancer. Symptoms. Updated: 4/3/2007}

Breast lumps in general

The first symptom of breast cancer for many women is a lump in their breast. But many women have breast lumps and 9 out of 10 (90%) are benign. A rare type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer can have different symptoms. The breast may feel hard. If you notice anything unusual about your breast, have it examined.

Breast pain

Pain doesn't usually mean cancer. Most breast pain is not caused by cancer, but some breast cancers do cause pain, so if you are worried, see your GP.

More information

Look at screening for breast cancer for information about

• Examining your own breasts
• Having a mammogram
• How cancer is diagnosed
• Why it's important to find out about it as early as possible

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Flat or inverted nipple: A nipple that is flat or inverted is also a symptom of breast cancer. A breast that is often itchy: If you have itchy breasts or nipples, talk to your doctor. These are both symptoms of breast cancer.

It is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer that is often undected by a mammogram and self breast exam.

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men.

The most common types of breast cancer are:

• ductal carcinoma (85 - 90% of all cases)
• lobular carcinoma (8% of all cases)

Invasive (Infiltrating) Breast Cancer
Invasive, or infiltrating, breast cancer has the potential to spread out of the original tumor site and invade other parts of your breast and body. There are several types and subtypes of invasive breast cancer.

If You Have Breast Pain

Early stages of breast cancer may not cause any pain or discomfort. Having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast exam by your health professional can help you understand changes in your breasts.
Treatments for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving & Prevention of Breast Cancer.