Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

Early diagnosis and treatment can provide almost 100% cure.

In most women, the first symptom noticed is a breast lump. Other signs and symptoms are:

• A lump or thickening inside the breast tissue, which does not go away with a menstrual period. A hard, irregular shaped lump which is not painful may be found by the woman herself.
• Discharge from the nipple, particularly if blood stained or profusely watery
• Change in shape or size of part or whole of the breast
• Change in appearance of skin in a part of the breast or dimpling or puckering (an orange peel appearance). The skin may be red, thickened or scaly over the breast and nipple
• Rash on the nipples or surrounding areas
• Inversion or turning in of the nipple.
• Swelling on the upper arm
• Swelling in the armpit
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple discharge
• A single or multiple lumps in the underarm

Late signs and symptoms They occur as the cancer grows or spreads.

• Bone pain
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice
• Cough or shortness of breath
• Headache
• Double vision