Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast tissue start to grow abnormally, and may spread outside the breast. Breast cancer usually presents as a breast lump. However there are many other non-cancerous causes of breast lumps, such as fibroadenomas and cysts. If you find a breast lump, it is important to get it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Other symptoms of breast cancer can include changes of the skin overlying the breast tissue- including dimpled appearance, redness or other changes. There may also be enlarged glands in the armpits, bleeding or irritation from a nipple, nipple discharge, breast pain or breast swelling. Sometimes breast cancer is picked up on routine screening mammogram, before any symptoms have started.
All of these symptoms warrant an urgent check up with your doctor, who may perform an examination and arrange breast scans or other tests.
