Symptoms of breast cancer Breast cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms often appear when the tumour grows large enough to be felt as a lump in the breast or when the cancer spreads to surrounding tissues and organs. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as breast cancer. The most common symptom of ductal carcinoma is a firm or hard lump that feels very different from the rest of the breast. It may feel like it is attached to the skin or the surrounding breast tissue. The lump doesn’t get smaller or come and go with your period. It may be tender, but it’s usually not painful. (Pain is more often a symptom of a non-cancerous condition). Lobular carcinoma often does not form a lump. It feels more like the tissue in the breast is getting thicker or harder.

Other symptoms of ductal and lobular breast cancer include: a lump in the armpit (called the axilla) changes in the shape or size of the breast changes to the nipple, such as a nipple that suddenly starts to point inward (called an inverted nipple) discharge that comes out of the nipple without squeezing it or that has blood in it Late signs and symptoms occur as the cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs. Late symptoms of breast cancer include: bone pain weight loss nausea loss of appetite jaundice shortness of breath cough headache double vision muscle weakness Inflammatory breast cancer and Paget disease of the breast cause different symptoms. Inflammatory breast cancer is an an aggressive and fast growing breast cancer in which cancer cells infiltrate the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. It often produces no distinct tumor or lump that can be felt and isolated within the breast.  But when the lymph vessels become blocked by the breast cancer cells, symptoms begin to appear. Early IBC symptoms may include persistent itching and the appearance of a rash or small irritation similar to an insect bite. The breast typically becomes red, swollen, and warm.  The skin may appear pitted like an orange peel, and nipple changes such as inversion, flattening, or dimpling may occur. Paget's disease of the breast is a type of cancer that outwardly may have the appearance of eczema, with skin changes involving the nipple of the breast. The condition is an uncommon disease accounting for 1 to 4.3% of all breast cancers and was first described by Sir James Paget in 1874. The condition in itself often appears innocuous, limited to a surface appearance and it is sometimes dismissed, although actually indicative of underlying breast cancer. Signs and symptoms Paget's disease of the breast can affect the nipple and areola. Symptoms typically only affect one breast. Symptoms may include:   Skin. The first symptom is usually an eczema-like rash. The skin of the nipple and areola may be red, itchy and inflamed. After a period of time, the skin may become flaky or scaly. Discharge. A discharge, which may be straw-colored or bloody, may ooze from the area. Sensation. Some women have a burning sensation. These symptoms usually occur in more advanced stages, when serious destruction of the skin often prompts the patient to consult. Lumps or masses in the breast occur in 50% of the patients. In more advanced stages, the disease may cause tingling, increased sensitivity and pain. Nipple changes. The nipple may become inverted. Breast changes. There may or may not be a lump in the breast, and there may be redness, oozing and crusting, and a sore that does not heal.   The symptoms usually affect the nipple and then spread to the areola and then the breast. It is common for the symptoms to wax and wane. Most women do not visit the doctor because they assume Paget's disease to be minor contact dermatitis or eczema. A lump or skin irritation that does not seem to heal for over a month indicates that attention by a specialist is needed. SEE YOUR DOCTOR.