A new lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. You might feel the lump while doing a self-exam, or your doctor might find it during a check-up. Most lumps — more than 80 percent — actually aren’t cancer.
Other symptoms besides a lump that warn of breast cancer include:
- a nipple that turns inward (retraction)
- redness, scaling, or thickening of the nipple
- a change in the texture of the skin on the breast
- clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, or a milky discharge if you’re not breastfeeding
- dimpled skin on the breast
- breast or nipple pain
- a change in the size or shape of the breast
Watch out for any of these breast changes, and report them to your doctor right away. The earlier breast cancer is caught, the better your chances of successful treatment.
Nipple changes
Every woman’s nipples are slightly different, and most nipple changes are nothing to worry about. Still, you should be alert for any changes to the shape, size, or color of your nipples and report them to your doctor.
One sign of breast cancer is that your nipples suddenly push in toward your body rather than pointing out. Nipples that do this are called inverted or retracted.
A change in the texture or color of the nipple might also be a sign of cancer. Look for a scaly, itchy rash or dimpling that resembles the skin of an orange. The nipple might also turn red or purple.
Fluid that isn’t breast milk might leak out of your nipples. That fluid can be clear, milky, or blood-tinged. It will leak out on its own when lightly expressed.
What other conditions can cause nipple changes?
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