Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Page Contents

Most breast changes that you or your health care provider can see or feel are not cancer. Schedule an appointment to see our knowledgeable staff so you can be sure. If you do have cancer, or another condition, it is best to know sooner and get the services you need.

The breast specialists at the Breast Health Program at Fred Hutch Cancer Center can help if you have an abnormal mammogram, breast lump, nipple discharge or other breast concern.

Here is a guide to common — and some less common — breast cancer symptoms.

Take Charge of Your Health

If you have an abnormal mammogram, breast lump other breast concern, the breast specialists at Fred Hutch Cancer Center's Breast Health Program can help.

Call 206.606.6487

Common Warning Signs of Breast Cancer 

Many people regularly check their breasts for common warning signs of cancer, including: 

  • A painless lump in your breast 
  • Abnormal thickening of your breast tissue 
  • A change in the density of your breast 

Other Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer 

Less often, breast cancer can show up as: 

  • A lump under your arm 
  • Red or scaly skin on your breast 
  • A change in your nipple (such as discharge or inversion) 
  • Dimpling of the skin over your breast 

The signs of breast cancer may differ somewhat for different types of the disease. For example, invasive lobular carcinoma is sometimes called “lumpless” breast cancer. It’s less likely to cause a mass that you can feel or your health care provider can see on imaging compared to the more common invasive ductal carcinoma. This was one of many topics important to patients and providers at an event at Fred Hutch for Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. 

Similarly, inflammatory breast cancer may cause signs or symptoms that many people don’t think of as typical for cancer. 

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms 

In inflammatory breast cancer: 

  • Your breast may be red, swollen and warm to the touch, like the symptoms of an infection. 
  • The surface of your breast may look pitted, like the skin of an orange (because the cancer cells block lymph vessels in your skin).  
  • Sometimes, there is no lump in the breast that you can see or feel. 

Breast Health Program 

If you’re concerned about breast-related signs, symptoms or test results, the breast specialists at our Breast Health Program, located at both the Fred Hutch Sloan Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Northwest, can help. We provide evaluations quickly, and we diagnose and treat a full range of breast health issues. Our team also designs individualized screening and follow-up plans to reduce breast cancer risk and detect breast cancer early. 

Learn more about Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis.