Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

If you know how your breasts usually look and feel, it will be easier to spot anything unusual. It’s important to look out for any changes and get these checked by your GP.

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The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of beating it. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer display differently in males and females. This page refers to the female anatomy, but we also have information on how breast cancer appears in men and transgender chest awareness.

How to check for breast cancer

You may find it easier to check your breasts in the shower or bath, but there is no right or wrong way to check! Professor Cliona Kirwan, Consultant Breast Surgeon and Prevent Breast Cancer expert, has demonstrated how to check your breasts and why it’s important. For a visual step-by-step summary, discover the motions to use.

1Start by looking in the mirror to see what your breasts look like and so you can spot any changes

How to check your breasts

2Either in the shower or lying on your bed, lift your arm above your head, to spread your breast tissue

How to check your breasts

3Use the pads of your fingertips with shower gel or moisturiser

How to check your breasts

4Imagine your breast is a clock face

How to check your breasts

5Gently press and move around the breast tissue in small circular motions across the entire breast

How to check your breasts

6Feel all around the breast, including under your arm, around to the side of your chest and underneath where the underwire of your bra would sit at the bottom and side of the breast.

check yourself

7Make sure you check higher up, above your breast (as the ‘tail’ of the breast reaches up here as well)

check yourself

What are the Signs of Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer can have several signs and symptoms, but for many women it will appear as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue. This may be found in the breast itself, upper chest or armpit. Looking at yourself in the mirror may help to check whether you can see any of the following signs and symptoms.

A lump in
the breast

check yourself

Swelling of all or
part of breast

Swelling of all or part of breast

Dimpled or
depressed skin

Dimpled or depressed skin

Nipple changes
inversion

Nipple changes inversion

Bloody
discharge

Bloody discharge

Skin irritation or
texture change

Skin irritation or texture change

Redness &
heat

Redness & heat

Visible lump
on armpit

Visible lump on armpit

Shall we send you a guide?

This useful pocket size card fits nicely in a purse, or even on the fridge. We’re more than happy pop one of these in the post to you. Simply click the button below, and let us know where to send it!

If you notice a change in your breasts

If you find a lump or notice any other changes to your breasts, it’s important to get checked by your GP as soon as possible. Book an appointment with your doctor, who may refer you to a breast clinic where you will be seen within two weeks.

Many signs and symptoms of breast cancer, including breast lumps, are non-cancerous and caused by normal breast changes. But it remains vital that you pay attention to your body and seek help if you notice anything that is abnormal for you.

Frequently asked questions

In summary, breast pain is not a worrying symptom and is very rarely a symptom of a cancer. Breast pain is very common, as is breast cancer, so many women can experience the two together even though they are not directly linked.

Breast pain, and its relation to breast cancer, is a topic that we are often asked about. Breast Surgeon, James Harvey, shared more information about this with us which you can find in our blog, ‘Is pain a sign of cancer?‘.

Whilst most breast cancers cause no nipple pain, there are some that do. It is, however, important to note many women may experience breast and nipple pain as a symptom of their menstrual cycle. If the pain continues and becomes more severe, it’s important to consult your GP.

A breast mass will generally feel hard and will feel unusual compared to the breast tissue around. The skin covering the lump may also appear inflamed or may change colour.

In summary, the five warning signs to look out for are:

• A new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
• Noticing a change in the size, shape or feel of your breast
• Visible skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, rashes or redness of the skin
• Fluid leaking from the nipple for women who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding
• Changes in the position of the nipple – You may notice your nipple turning in and sinking into the breast

If you find a lump or notice any other changes to your breasts, it’s important to get checked by your GP as soon as possible. Book an appointment with your doctor, who may refer you to a breast clinic where you will be seen within two weeks. Many signs and symptoms of breast cancer, including breast lumps, are non-cancerous and caused by normal breast changes. But it remains vital that you pay attention to your body and seek help if you notice anything that is abnormal for you.

When to check your breasts

We advise you check your breasts regularly, once a month. Breasts change at different times of the month, the ideal time to check is just after your period. If you don’t menstruate, checking once a month at any time is fine. Setting a calendar reminder can be useful to help incorporate it into your routine. We suggest the 1st of the month – feel them on the first!

Please note, if you’re viewing on your desktop and click the below button, a calendar invite file called ‘checkyourboobs’ will appear in your downloads folder. You just need to open it in your preferred calendar application, and set a monthly reminder.

About Prevent Breast Cancer

Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer – we’re committed to freeing the world from the disease altogether. Unlike many cancer charities, we’re focused on preventing, rather than curing. Promoting early diagnosis, screening and lifestyle changes, we believe we can stop the problem before it starts. And being situated at the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, we’re right at the front-line in the fight against the disease. Join us today and help us create a future free from breast cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, email us today.

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on January 1, 2023.

on January 1, 2023.