The first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. But early breast cancer can usually be detected by mammography before a lump can be felt.
Other symptoms of breast cancer may not appear until the cancer has progressed. These symptoms include:
- Thickening in the breast or armpit.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- Changes in the skin of the breast, such as shallow dimples or skin that resembles orange peel.
- Changes in the nipple, such as peeling of the skin or sunken nipples.
- Green or bloody fluid coming from the nipple.
- Change in the color or feel of the skin around the nipple (areola).
Symptoms such as changes in the skin of the breast or nipple may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.