What signs of breast cancer are there other than a lump?
Medically reviewed by Michelle Azu, M.D. on August 21, 2018 — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
A breast lump or mass is just one of the possible signs of breast cancer in men or women. Breast cancer can cause several additional changes to the skin on and around the breast. Anyone who notices any of these changes should see a doctor.
In some cases, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms, but a doctor will identify a mass on a mammogram. Screening for breast cancer as recommended by a doctor can help detect this condition in its earliest and most treatable stage.
In this article, we discuss some of the potential signs and symptoms of breast cancer that may occur without a noticeable lump in the breast.
All of these symptoms can also have a noncancerous underlying cause. However, people with these symptoms should speak to their doctor in case tests are necessary to check for both noncancerous and cancerous conditions.
What signs of breast cancer are there other than a lump?
Medically reviewed by Michelle Azu, M.D. on August 21, 2018 — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
A breast lump or mass is just one of the possible signs of breast cancer in men or women. Breast cancer can cause several additional changes to the skin on and around the breast. Anyone who notices any of these changes should see a doctor.
In some cases, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms, but a doctor will identify a mass on a mammogram. Screening for breast cancer as recommended by a doctor can help detect this condition in its earliest and most treatable stage.
In this article, we discuss some of the potential signs and symptoms of breast cancer that may occur without a noticeable lump in the breast.
All of these symptoms can also have a noncancerous underlying cause. However, people with these symptoms should speak to their doctor in case tests are necessary to check for both noncancerous and cancerous conditions.
Image credit: Stephen kelly, 2018
Breast cancer can cause changes and inflammation in skin cells that can lead to texture changes. Examples of these texture changes include:
- scaly skin around the nipple and areola, as though the skin is sunburned or extremely dry
- skin thickening in any part of the breast
These changes may also cause itching, which people often associate with breast cancer, although it is not common.
These skin changes may be symptomatic of a rare breast cancer type called Paget's disease.
Texture changes can also occur as a result of benign skin conditions, including dermatitis and eczema.
A person may observe discharge from the nipple, which can be thin or thick and can range in color from clear to milky to yellow, green, or red.
It is normal for people who are breastfeeding to have a milky discharge from the nipples, but it is advisable to see a doctor about any other nipple discharge.
Although most nipple discharge is noncancerous, it can signify breast cancer in some people.
Other possible reasons for nipple discharge include:
- breast infections
- a side effect of birth control pills
- a side effect of taking certain medications
- variations in body physiology
- certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease
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