Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer Many Women Miss

For years, women have been told to look for a lump in their breast as the tell-tale physical sign of breast cancer. But doctors and advocates alike want women to know there are several other less common symptoms that also deserve attention.

Less than half of adults in the United States recognize all the physical symptoms of breast cancer, according to survey results from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The majority of respondents (93%) identified a lump in the breast as a sign of breast cancer, but fewer were aware that the following were also considered red flags:

Symptoms are secondary to cancer

When all or certain symptoms are present, they are secondary to the development of cancer and often indicate that a cancer is more aggressive, Bridget Oppong, M.D., a surgical oncologist with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, tells The Messenger.

“When these changes are present, it is usually in the setting of advanced breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer,” Dr. Oppong says, noting that although these cancers are rare, they are very aggressive.

Normal changes versus concerning ones

The look and feel of women’s breasts can vary based on age, menstrual cycle stages, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations and more. This can make it difficult to differentiate between a change that is harmless and one that merits a call to the doctor.

Dr. Oppong says that a good way to tell the difference is by paying attention to how long the change has been present. She says that benign changes — those that are not rooted in cancer — typically go away within a few weeks. Changes that persist beyond that should be checked by a doctor.

Other uncommon signs

Dr. Oppong says although it is very rare for someone to present with advanced cancer at their initial diagnosis, there are some symptoms that suggest that not only is cancer present, it’s also spreading.

Symptoms like persistent pain, headaches, weight loss and jaundice (yellowing of the skin) are all signs that a cancer might have metastasized, or spread throughout the body.

Risk assessments, self-exams and breast cancer screening

The American College of Radiology recommends that women start breast cancer risk assessments as early as age 25. These assessments include factors like family history, the presence of genetic mutations and a discussion about breast density status to give doctors and patients a better idea of their risk of developing breast cancer.

Screening recommendations — whether someone needs a mammogram, ultrasound or breast MRI — vary based on a woman’s age and risk. The United State Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer complete a screening mammogram every other year starting at age 40. 

Before and between these screenings, experts recommend that women complete breast self-exams every month. These should be done around the same time every month, usually three to five days after the start of a period.

Dr. Oppong says that it’s also important to remember to examine breast tissue around the armpit, as it is often forgotten, and to change positions (e.g. leaning forward, raising arms) while completing these exams.

Thanks to self-exams and mammograms, most cancers are detected early and never reach the point of causing symptoms, Dr. Oppong says. Nevertheless, it is important to listen to your body and promptly report any suspicious changes to a doctor.