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Breast cancer can cause a number of signs and symptoms.
See your GP if you notice a change to your breast that’s new or unusual for you.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
On its own, pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of breast cancer. But look out for pain in your breast or armpit that’s there all or almost all the time.
Although rare, men can get breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the chest area.
Most breast changes, including breast lumps, are not cancer. But the sooner breast cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.
Get any new or unusual changes checked by a GP.
There’s no special way to check your breasts and you do not need any training.
Checking your breasts is as easy as TLC:
Everyone will have their own way of touching and looking for changes.
Get used to checking regularly and be aware of anything that’s new or different for you.
Check your whole breast area, including up to your collarbone (upper chest) and armpits.
A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
Rash or crusting around the nipple
Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
Changes in size or shape of the breast
Due to the coronavirus pandemic your appointment may be over the phone.
If your appointment is in person, your GP will examine your breasts.
After speaking to you on the phone, or examining your breasts, your GP may:
Being referred to a breast clinic does not mean you have breast cancer, just that further assessment is needed to find out what is going on.
If your GP is male and you do not feel comfortable going to see him, ask if there’s a female doctor or practice nurse available.
You can also ask for a female nurse or member of staff to be present during your examination, or you can take a friend or relative with you, but check first if you are able to do this.
If you're worried about breast health or breast cancer you can speak to our breast care nurses for free by calling 0808 800 6000 or by email.