This might look like one breast suddenly being a cup size larger than the other (again, despite this not previously being the case for you), one breast that seems to stay closer to your chest wall (while the other dangles more), or new asymmetry in terms of how your breast skin or nipples look or feel.
3. Changes in breast shape and contour, like dimpling or thickening
Your breast shape will change naturally over time. After all, your breasts at 20 are not what you’ll see at 50 (thanks, gravity!), especially if you’ve been pregnant or nursed a baby.
That said, it’s time to talk to a doctor when those changes seem to have happened quickly and don’t seem to be associated with your menstrual cycle, significant weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. For example, Dr. Gary says changes in the contour of your breast, such as dimpling, could be an early sign of breast cancer. Also key to note is thickening or swelling of the breast, even if you do not feel a lump. Dr. Gary says these changes may become more apparent as cancers grow inside the tissues.
4. Nipple changes or discharge
Another potential early sign of breast cancer is certain changes to your nipples, such as nipples that turn inward, pull to one side, or change direction. Inflammation around the nipple, scaly skin, crusting, and itchiness or a burning sensation also warrant a convo with your doctor, particularly when it occurs in only one nipple, Dr. Calfa says.
Abnormal nipple discharge is another thing worth paying attention to. If you’ve been pregnant, you’re likely familiar with fluids dripping out of your nipples (hello, colostrum and breast milk). But discharge that is new and not obviously related to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or another medical reason is a potential cause for concern, especially if it’s bloody, leaking from only one nipple, or comes out on its own without any squeezing.
5. Skin inflammation, discoloration, or swelling
While not as common as other early symptoms of breast cancer, breast discoloration, thickening of the breast skin, changes to breast skin texture that give it an orange-peel-like feel, swelling that affects more than a third of the breast, and swollen lymph nodes near the underarm can be associated with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare and very aggressive form of the disease.
