Breast cancer symptoms, checks and treatment: a clear, kind guide

The short answer

The main breast cancer symptoms are a new lump or thickening, a change in the size or shape of a breast, and changes to the skin or nipple. Most breast lumps are not cancer. But because breast cancer is very treatable when found early, any new or unusual change is worth showing your GP.

In short

• Main symptoms: a new lump, a change in breast size or shape, or skin or nipple changes.
• Most breast lumps are not cancer, but any new or lasting change should be checked by your GP.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and men can develop it too, though rarely.
• The NHS invites women aged 50 to 71 for breast screening every three years.
• General information, not medical advice. Show your GP any new lump or change without delay.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and most women diagnosed survive their disease for five years or more, with the best outlook when it is found early. Source: Cancer Research UK.

Finding a change in your breast is frightening, and we will not pretend otherwise. But most breast changes are harmless, and breast cancer found early is very treatable. This guide explains what to look for, how to check, and what happens next, in plain language.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Signs worth noticing include:

• A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
• A change in the size, shape or feel of a breast
• Skin changes, such as dimpling, puckering or redness
• A nipple that turns inwards, or a change in its position
• Discharge from a nipple, especially if bloodstained
• A rash, crusting or scaly skin on or around the nipple

Breast pain on its own is rarely a sign of cancer, and is far more often linked to hormones or a benign cause. Whatever the change, you do not need to be certain. If something is new or unusual for you, please see your GP.

What is breast cancer, and can men get it?

Not all breast cancers behave the same way. Doctors test the cancer for features such as hormone receptors and a protein called HER2, because these guide which treatments will work best. This is why two people with breast cancer can be offered quite different, tailored treatment. It sits alongside the other cancer types we cover.

How do I check my breasts?

A simple way to be breast aware:

• Touch your breasts and armpits, feeling for anything new, such as a lump or thickening
• Look for changes in size, shape or skin, in the mirror with arms down and raised
• Check anything unusual with your GP, without waiting for it to go away

Breasts naturally change through the month and with age, so an occasional lumpy or tender feeling is often normal. What matters is spotting something that is new or different for you, and getting it looked at rather than worrying alone.

What causes breast cancer, and who is at higher risk?

• Getting older, with most cases diagnosed over the age of 50
• A family history or an inherited gene change, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Hormonal factors, such as starting periods early or a later menopause
• Drinking alcohol, even in fairly small amounts
• Being overweight after the menopause, or being physically inactive

If breast cancer runs strongly in your family, talk to your GP, as you may be offered genetic advice or earlier and more frequent checks than the routine screening programme.

What is breast screening, and how does the mammogram work?

The mammogram itself takes only a few minutes. It can feel uncomfortable as the breast is briefly pressed between two plates, but the discomfort passes quickly, and most people find it far more manageable than they feared. If you are invited, going along is one of the most valuable things you can do, and you can still request screening after 71.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

• A clinical examination of the breasts and armpits
• Imaging, with a mammogram, an ultrasound, or sometimes an MRI
• A biopsy, taking a small sample to examine under a microscope
• Further scans, only if needed, to check whether the cancer has spread

Many people referred with a breast change turn out not to have cancer, and the whole point of testing is to give you a clear answer quickly. Where it is cancer, finding it and its type early shapes an effective plan.

What are the treatments for breast cancer?

• Surgery removes the cancer, either the lump alone or, less often, the whole breast, with reconstruction available.
• Radiotherapy lowers the chance of the cancer coming back after surgery.
• Chemotherapy uses medicines that treat the whole body, before or after surgery.
• Hormone therapy is used for cancers driven by hormones, and often continues for years.
• Targeted therapy treats cancers with features such as HER2, and has greatly improved outcomes.

Treatment can be demanding, and support for your body and your feelings is part of good care, from your team and charities such as Breast Cancer Now and Macmillan. Our prevention and living-well guides point to more help.

What do the stages of breast cancer mean?

Even secondary breast cancer, which has spread, can often be controlled for years with modern treatments. Your team can explain what your stage and type mean for you, which matters far more than the number alone.

What is the outlook, and can breast cancer be prevented?

Steps that support lower risk and early detection:

• Be breast aware, and see your GP about any new or unusual change.
• Attend breast screening whenever you are invited.
• Limit alcohol, as even small amounts raise the risk.
• Keep a healthy weight and stay active, especially after the menopause.
• Know your family history, and discuss it with your GP if breast cancer is common in your family.

No habit removes all risk, and no one who develops breast cancer is to blame. But awareness, screening and healthy habits move the odds in your favour, which is the whole idea behind our mission. If you would like help finding trusted support, you can contact us any time.

Guides like this are free, medically reviewed, and paid for by supporters, not pharma. If yours was useful, there are many ways to help.