Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

April 10, 2025

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Susan Yost, Ph.D., staff scientist, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte

Breast cancer may cause no symptoms, especially in its early stages, but it is important to always be on the lookout for any changes to the breast. Sometimes symptoms of breast cancer are felt by patients, and a visit to their doctor for evaluation and guidance is important.

This guide is designed to help patients learn more about breast cancer symptoms and signs.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer may cause a variety of symptoms. While some may also be caused by noncancerous conditions, any unexpected change to the breast or underarm area should always be evaluated by a doctor.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of breast cancer.

Breast or underarm lump: A mass, or lump, on the breast is one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer. The lump may be hard and painless. It may also be smooth, soft, round, tender to the touch or painful. Most breast lumps are caused by noncancerous conditions.

Nipple discharge: This is a discharge other than breast milk coming from the nipple. It could be in one breast or both and may contain blood.

Breast swelling: Even if a lump is not felt, there may be general swelling or thickening of the skin in and near the breast.

Skin dimpling: The skin of the breast may appear puckered or develop dimples. This may resemble the dimpling found on an orange peel.

Pain in the nipple or breast: Discomfort in or around the breast or armpit area may indicate a problem.

Breast rash: Skin on or around the nipple area may feel dry, scaly or thickened, and it may be reddish in color, as if there is a rash.

Nipple inversion: In some instances, a nipple may retract, or turn inward. This also occurs naturally in a small percentage of the population, however, and it may be caused by other health conditions.

Swollen lymph nodes: If the lymph nodes near the collarbone or in the armpit area feel swollen, this may indicate that cancer has spread into the lymph nodes near the breast.

Does Breast Cancer Hurt?

In most cases, breast cancer does not cause pain, but it may in some cases. However, if a patient notices pain in their breast or nipple, it may also owe to health conditions other than cancer.

Breast pain may occur at certain times during a patient’s menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. It is also linked to several benign (not cancerous) health conditions, including:

• Mastitis, a condition in which milk ducts are blocked or infected
• Breast cysts
• Fibrocystic breast disease, a common condition marked by swelling, nipple sensitivity and discharge, as well as itching
• Intraductal breast papilloma, which causes warty growths, typically near the nipple

Signs of Breast Cancer in Women Versus Men

About 1 in every 100 breast cancers in the United States are found in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The signs of breast cancer are similar in both men and women, including:

• Lumps on the breast or armpit area
• Breast swelling or pain
• Nipple discharge
• Skin dimpling
• Red or flaky skin on the breast
• Change in the size and shape of the breast

Surviving breast cancer is similar in men and women for the same stage of disease, but men are often diagnosed in advanced stages when it is more challenging to treat.

While breast cancer more often impacts women than men, both men and women should be aware of any changes to the shape, size or texture of their breasts, and bring any new symptoms to their doctor’s attention.