What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Often, the first sign of breast cancer can’t be felt.
But a mammogram may detect it. That first sign may be an abnormality
in the breast that even a doctor can’t detect without performing an exam called
a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray exam of the breast that is used to find and
evaluate abnormalities. In fact, even a large tumor may not cause symptoms and may
not be found until a mammogram is performed. For this reason, doctors recommend
that some women get mammograms yearly.
Both women who have no complaints or symptoms and women who have breast cancer symptoms
can be evaluated with mammograms. Some of the most common breast-related complaints
or symptoms include a lump or lumps, pain, or nipple discharge. Less common breast
cancer symptoms include persistent changes to the breast such as thickening, tenderness,
swelling, redness or scaliness, or nipple abnormalities.
Breast cancer symptoms can sometimes be surprising. It’s true that a hard, irregular
mass in the breast is more likely than a soft mass to be cancerous. But some breast
cancers are in fact tender, soft, or rounded.
Regular screening according to your doctor’s
plan is the best way to find breast cancers before they cause symptoms—or spread
through the body.
Find out about screening and early detection
Return to top