Breast Cancer Symptoms

Knowing what’s normal for your breasts (and what’s not) can help you spot the signs of breast cancer early, when treatment can be most successful. At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, we want to remind you to be aware of changes in your breast health and to talk with your doctor if you notice anything unusual.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its earliest stages. That’s why routine screening is key. Still, it’s important to be familiar with your breasts so you notice if something changes.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer vary from person to person. See a health care provider if you notice changes in your breast like these:

• A new lump or mass in the breast
• Swelling in the breast, chest or underarm (axilla)
• Changes in breast size, shape or color
• Nipple discharge, especially if it’s bloody or clear
• Nipple changes, such as pulling inward (inversion)
• Nipple itching
• Redness, thickening or dimpling of the breast skin
• Pain or tenderness in the breast

Not all breast changes mean cancer. Even if changes turn out to be noncancerous, checking them early is the safest approach. Detecting breast cancer early often means you have more treatment options and better outcomes.

Don’t rely on symptoms alone for detecting breast cancer. As early-stage breast cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms, it’s important to get annual screening mammograms and any other testing you may need based on your personalized risk of breast cancer development.

Types of breast cancer

Most of the time, breast cancer is found because of an abnormal mammogram or a lump in the breast. Breast cancer isn’t just one disease. There are many types which are classified based on where they begin and whether they have spread.

Common types

• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, diagnosed 70% to 80% of the time. With IDC, abnormal cancer cells start in the milk ducts and spread into other parts of the breast tissue. IDC is also the most common type of breast cancer in men.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): ILC is the second most common type of invasive breast cancer, diagnosed in up to 8% of invasive cases. It begins in the milk-producing lobes.

Non-invasive vs. invasive

• Non-invasive (in situ): Abnormal cells are contained in the breast ducts and have not spread into surrounding tissue.
• Invasive: Cancer cells have spread beyond the ducts or lobes into nearby breast tissue and possibly further into the body.

Other types

Some breast cancers are less common but it’s still important to be familiar with them:

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): DCIS is an early, non-invasive type of breast cancer found in the milk ducts. It’s highly treatable with excellent outcomes. Learn more about DCIS.
• HER2-positive breast cancer: HER2-positive breast cancer contains a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) that can make cancer cells grow quickly. It often responds to targeted therapy. Learn more about HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Triple negative breast cancer: Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer. It does not have three receptors that are found in many types of breast cancer, which means hormone-targeted treatments aren’t effective. Learn more about triple negative breast cancer.
• Inflammatory breast cancer: This rare but aggressive type causes redness, swelling and skin thickening. Learn more about inflammatory breast cancer. 
• Other rare subtypes:
  • Tubular carcinoma
  • Medullary carcinoma
  • Mucinous carcinoma
  • Papillary carcinoma
  • Cribriform carcinoma
  • Paget's disease of the nipple/breast

How symptoms and type affect treatment

The type of breast cancer you have, combined with its stage (how advanced it is), guides your care plan. Some types of cancer grow slowly, while others are more aggressive and require faster treatment. Your care team at Banner MD Anderson will create a personalized plan based on your diagnosis, overall health, preferences and other factors.

What to expect after noticing symptoms

When you have your symptoms checked, your doctor may:

• Perform a physical exam of your breast and review your medical and family history
• Order imaging tests such as mammography, ultrasound or MRI to get a clearer picture of the area
• Recommend a biopsy to test your breast tissue for signs of cancer

Being tested for breast cancer can be stressful and you may want to bring someone with you to your appointments for support. Getting answers quickly can help lower anxiety and show you the path forward.

Specialized care at Banner MD Anderson

Our breast cancer specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating every type of breast cancer, from common to rare and slow-growing to aggressive. We offer:

• Advanced imaging and examination for accurate diagnosis.
• Access to targeted therapies and clinical trials.
• Nurse navigators and support programs to guide you through your care journey.

Next step: Tests and diagnosis

It’s important to talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your breast health. Understanding breast cancer symptoms and types is only the beginning. If you notice changes or your screening results are abnormal, the next step is diagnostic testing.

Learn more about breast cancer tests and diagnosis. 

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