You don’t have to Google “early symptoms of breast cancer” to know that a breast lump is one of the signs of breast cancer. Lumps, swelling, and other abnormalities are, after all, the most common things women are told to look out for during breast self-exams. But what about breast cancer symptoms other than lumps? They’re a lot more common than you might think.
Aside from the lump, the symptoms were identical to those 34-year-old Megan Hall discovered before her breast cancer diagnosis. “I noticed this green thing spilling down the front of my shirt. I didn’t think anything of it. I went to take it off and realized it was stuck to my nipple,” Megan said. White“She was leaking green fluid from her breasts.”
Yes, Meghan’s breast cancer symptom was a green fluid leaking from her nipples, but her experience is not unique. One in six women who discover they have breast cancer also experience nipple abnormalities and weight loss (also known as do not have According to a study published in the journal Neurology in 2017, Cancer Epidemiology.
These self-reported breast cancers, especially those without a typical lump, highlight how important it is to not only follow up on your mammograms and annual screenings, but also to pay attention to any unusual signs, symptoms, or changes you may be experiencing, says Neelima Denduluri, M.D., vice chair of the American Oncology Network’s Committee on Breast Cancer.
Instead, it’s best to examine your breasts in their entirety and keep a record of how they normally feel and look, so you can report any changes to your doctor, whether they indicate cancer or not, she adds.
Here are some of the most surprising signs and symptoms of breast cancer in women, so you know what to look out for. On top of that lump.
1. Skin that is pitted, scaly, patchy, or inflamed
You know your breasts well and their little quirks (like your left breast fitting into a bra better than your right). So if Any “Any change in normal appearance is cause for concern,” says Debra Putt, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist and breast cancer specialist at Texas Oncology, part of the American Oncology Network.
“If you notice any abnormal thickening, redness, rash, dimpling or wrinkling of the skin on your breast or around your nipple, you should see a doctor,” she explains.
2. Changes in your nipples
Only mannequins have perfect, pointy, well-behaved nipples — real human women have to deal with a variety of colors, sizes, positions, textures, and (surprise!) hair.
The good news is that all of this is completely normal and not a problem. your Dr. Dendulli says this is normal — if your nipples have always been inverted, for example, that’s just the way you are, but if you suddenly go from pointy to fully or partially inverted, contact your doctor right away. Bottom line, any changes to your nipples, like their color or texture, should be checked out to rule out cancer, says Dr. Dendulli.
By the way, nipple hair in women has nothing to do with cancer and is totally normal — one in three women has nipple hair, she adds.
3. Leaking nipples
What could be more worrying than fluid squirting from your breasts when you don’t have a baby? “Some leakage is normal while you’re pregnant and breastfeeding, and for up to a year after you’ve weaned your baby, but if you notice discharge at any other time, you should see a doctor,” says Dr. Pat.
Dr. Pat explains that irregular discharge, especially if it’s red or green or has an odor, could be a sign of a problem such as breast or pituitary cancer.
4. Severe swelling and pain
Swollen and sore breasts can be a real pain. This is mostly due to hormonal changes (such as premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy), but it can also lead to breast cancer.
It all depends on the size and location of the tumor, which can cause a change in breast size or shape, or painful swelling, according to Dr. Putt. The vast majority of women who report breast pain don’t have cancer, but if the breast pain or swelling isn’t related to your menstrual cycle, you’re not breastfeeding, and it comes suddenly or doesn’t go away, Dr. Putt adds, call your doctor because whatever is going on needs to be addressed.
5. You experience a strange tickling sensation
How your breasts feel inside is just as important as how they feel on the outside, says Dr. Shelley Ross, obstetrician-gynecologist and author of What Your Breasts Feel Like Inside. SeaologySome women may feel as if they are being “tickled from the inside”, experience a “buzzing” or “tingling” sensation inside their breasts, or feel as if their milk is “dripping” (when not breastfeeding), she says.
Strange sensations can sometimes occur for no reason, but if you’re experiencing unusual, recurring, strange sensations in your breasts, contact your doctor, she says.
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6. You can’t fight against the shower current
Have you suddenly noticed that your nipples start to irritate when you put on a bra, your breasts hurt so much you have to turn away from the shower water, or your breasts are so sensitive you can’t stand your partner’s touch? More than normal breast or nipple sensitivity could be a sign of cancer, says Dr. Ross.
Breast sensitivity is often linked to hormonal changes, which is why many women experience breast pain as part of premenstrual syndrome, which can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. “However, some types of breast cancer can affect hormones and cause similar sensations,” she explains.
So if your breasts suddenly become more sensitive than usual and you’re not menstruating or pregnant, call your doctor, she says.
7. Veins appear to be bulging on your chest
Whether or not you have visible veins on the surface of your breasts depends on a number of factors, including skin tone, the amount of fat under the skin, pregnancy, and genetics, but Dr Ross says you should keep an eye out for squiggly blue or green lines, as changes can be an early symptom of breast cancer.
Generally, visible veins aren’t anything to worry about, but if you see veins that weren’t visible before, or if they suddenly become larger, darker, or more prominent, you should be concerned. “Visible veins may indicate the presence of a tumor, as tumors require more blood flow and therefore more veins,” she explains. “Or the tumor may be blocking blood flow, causing nearby veins to swell.”
8. My nipples are constantly itchy
Sometimes, a good scratch on your nipples is all it takes, especially if you’re wearing a bra with lace or sequin trim (why would a bra manufacturer?), but if your nipples are constantly itchy, there’s a good chance something else is causing it and you should get them checked out, says Dr. Pat.
There are many causes of itchy nipples, including yeast infections or other infections, allergies, and irritation from clothing, but in rare cases, there’s breast cancer, which causes a dry, red, itchy rash on and around the nipples, similar to eczema, she explains.
Regardless of the cause, an itchy rash is one of those symptoms that you should definitely see a doctor for, especially if it doesn’t go away after a week or two.
9. Armpit pain (even though I haven’t done any push-ups)
Fun fact: Breast tissue extends far beyond the circular area that fits into the cup of your bra. “The breast actually extends along the sides of your chest all the way down to your armpits,” explains Dr. Ross. Breast cancer can develop in this breast tissue, and cancer can also cause swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, Dr. Ross says. So if you notice any pain or swelling in your armpits (even if you haven’t overdone it on the chest press machine) or if you feel a lump while shaving, contact your doctor.
Underarm discomfort is a common complaint and most of the time it’s nothing to worry about, but when it comes to your breasts (and armpits), it’s better to be safe than sorry, says Ross.
10. Acne won’t go away
Did you know you could get chest acne? It’s true! It’s not uncommon for people to develop small sores, pimples, or even warts on their breasts and nipples, says Dr. Ross. Women who exercise can develop acne in areas where they sweat a lot, like between their breasts or around their sports bra lines, where sweat can trap and clog pores.
Most acne will go away on its own with time and good hygiene, but if you have small sores that don’t go away after a week or two, it’s worth getting checked out: “Sores or bruises that don’t heal could be an early symptom of cancer,” she explains.
11. You notice changes that have nothing to do with your breasts.
Back pain, neck pain, and unexplained weight loss were cited as other breast cancer symptoms that led women to seek medical care and ultimately be diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiology.
That’s because breast cancer can spread before it’s detected and cause symptoms in parts of the body unrelated to the breasts. It’s impossible to identify all the signs of breast cancer (in fact, the list would be pointlessly long), so when it comes to early detection, you’re your own best weapon, says Dr. Dendulli. Overall, any persistent, noticeable changes are cause for concern and should get you checked out by a doctor.
Charlotte Hilton Andersen has been a health and fitness writer for 12 years. The Great Fitness ExperimentHer three great loves are her family, jelly beans, and true crime documentary podcasts that she listens to on the treadmill (but only leaned up against the wall so no one can sneak up on her).
Caroline Shannon Karasik is a writer and mental health advocate based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health as well as several print and online publications, including The Cut, Tonic, Narratively, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and DAME. She is currently working on a collection of essays.
