Many of the symptoms of breast cancer can also be symptoms of other diseases. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis. Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A lump in the breast or armpit;
- Thickening of the skin or tissue of the breast throughout the duration of menstruation;
- Change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast;
- Overflow of plasma or bloody fluid from the nipples;
- Changes in the appearance or abnormal sensation of the skin of the breast or nipple, dimple-like, wrinkled, scaly or inflamed breast surface;
- Redness of the breast or nipple;
- an area on the breast that is noticeably different from the rest of the body;
- Hard, marble-like nodules under the skin.
The doctor may recommend that the patient be examined to find the cause, and may tell the patient that “cancer has been completely ruled out” or that the test shows cancer and treatment is being started. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but if your doctor thinks it is, it is best to start treatment right away.