Most early-stage breast cancers in the U.S. are found with screening mammography before any warning signs or symptoms appear.

However, breast cancer also is found when there are warning signs. So, it’s important to be aware of these warning signs and see a health care provider if you notice any breast changes.

The signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. Most women associate finding a lump in the breast with breast cancer. However, visual changes can be the first signs that something is going on in the breast and should be checked.

It’s important to know how your breasts normally look and feel so you can report any changes to your doctor.

The changes shown in the following pictures are of obvious changes, but most changes happen over time. Even subtle changes should be reported to a doctor.

• A lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area – although not all lumps are cancer, all need to be checked.
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast. A rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer, can look like an infection. There might not be a lump present and often these changes seem to occur over a short period of time – perhaps even within days.
• A change in the size or shape of the breast. Many women have one breast that is slightly larger than the other and that is normal for them. Any noticeable change in the size or shape of the breast should be reported.
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin – a dimple like you might have in your cheek that occurs anywhere in your breast.
• An itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple. Paget disease of the breast is an unusual type of breast cancer that can form under the nipple and erupt at the nipple. It may look like a sore or rash or insect bite.
• Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast. Some women have retracted nipples, so it’s normal that their nipples pull in, but any change that causes a non-retracted nipple to pull in should be reported.
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly. This is a spontaneous nipple discharge that may leave your clothing damp or stained. Of particular concern is discharge that comes from only one breast that is clear or bloody.
• And finally, new pain in one spot that doesn’t go away. We generally think that breast cancer isn’t painful -that is why it can grow and grow before being detected. However, it IS possible for a cancer to cause pain. This pain is different from the general discomfort that a woman experiences in both breasts just before her period. So, a focal area of pain that doesn’t go away should be reported.