When you think about breast cancer, a lump is probably the first thing that comes to mind.
And while a new lump is one of the most common warning signs, breast cancer doesn’t always show up that way. Sometimes, the changes are more subtle and easy to miss.
“The best thing you can do is get to know what’s normal for your breasts with self-breast exams,” says Whitney Young, MD, FACS, breast surgical oncologist with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group and Midstate Medical Center. “That way, you’ll notice when something changes. Most breast changes aren’t cancer, but anything new or unexplained deserves a closer look.”
Here are five other breast cancer signs to watch for.
1. Your breast skin looks or feels different
Breast cancer can sometimes cause changes to the skin on your breast.
“Skin changes are easy to brush off, especially when there’s no lump,” says Dr. Young. “But sometimes that’s exactly how breast cancer shows up.”
Keep an eye out for anything that looks or feels new for you, like:
- Dimpling or puckering.
- Skin that feels thicker.
- Skin that looks pulled inward.
- A bumpy, uneven texture that reminds you of an orange peel.
- Redness or a rash that won’t go away.
“If you notice dimpling, puckering or a change in texture that sticks around, get it checked out,” she adds.
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2. Your nipple suddenly looks different
Nipples come in all shapes and sizes, and some naturally point inward. But if yours has always pointed outward and suddenly doesn’t, it’s worth noting.
“What counts isn’t how yours look,” explains Dr. Young. “It’s whether they’ve shifted from what’s normal for you. The key word here is ‘new.’”
Watch for a nipple that:
- Suddenly turns inward.
- Flattens or pulls to one side.
- Looks or sits in some other new way you can’t explain.
“If your nipple suddenly looks different and you can’t think of a reason why, don’t wait around for another symptom to show up,” she says. “Book an appointment to get it looked at.”
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3. You have unexplained nipple discharge
Fluid coming from your nipple can be alarming, especially if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding.
“The good news is it has plenty of possible causes and most of them aren’t cancer,” says Dr. Young. “But certain types deserve a closer look.”
Pay extra attention if the discharge:
- Happens on its own, not just when you squeeze the nipple.
- Comes from only one breast.
- Is bloody, clear or otherwise unusual for you.
- Leaves an unexplained stain on your bra or pajamas.
“It’s all about the whole picture,” she explains. “We’ll look at what the discharge looks like, when it happens and whether you’ve noticed any other changes. But if it’s bloody or happens on its own, please tell us sooner rather than later.”
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4. One breast changes in size or shape
Most women have one breast that’s a little larger than the other one, and that’s totally normal.
But if one breast suddenly looks larger, swollen or noticeably different, don’t ignore it.
“You know your body better than anyone,” says Dr. Young. “If one breast suddenly looks or feels noticeably different and you can’t explain why, it’s absolutely reasonable to get it checked.”
That might mean new swelling or a clear change in the size or shape of one breast, especially alongside skin or nipple changes.
“The goal isn’t to obsess over every little difference,” she adds. “It’s to notice when something feels or looks different from your usual. A change in size or shape doesn’t automatically mean cancer, but if it’s new and it sticks around, we want to figure out why.”
> Related: What Dense Breast Tissue Means for Your Health
5. You notice swelling or a lump in your armpit
You probably don’t think about your armpits when you think about breast cancer. But your armpits contain lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system.
“Breast cancer can sometimes involve the lymph nodes under your arm,” says Dr. Young. “So, a new lump or swelling that sticks around in your armpit can occasionally be the first thing someone notices.”
Swollen lymph nodes are usually caused by something other than cancer, like infections, but a new lump or swelling should still be checked out.
“If you notice a new lump, swelling that won’t go away, or a change that feels different from the other side, or you’re just worried, let us know,” she says.
> Related: At What Age Should I Start Getting Mammograms?
What to do if you notice a breast change
First, don’t panic because there are plenty of reasons your breasts might look or feel different besides cancer.
But don’t wait until your next mammogram to bring up a new symptom. Call your doctor and explain what you’ve noticed.
Depending on the change, your doctor might recommend a breast exam, diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound or other testing.
“Finding a change can be scary, but try to remember that many breast changes turn out not to be cancer,” says Dr. Young. “If it is breast cancer, finding it as early as possible is important. Pay attention to your body, and if something is new or doesn’t go away, let’s figure out what’s going on together.”
