Breast cancer can take many forms — here are 5 lesser-known symptoms to look for

Each year, 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It remains the second leading cause of death among women.

While a majority of adults (93%) recognize a lump as one of the more common signs of breast cancer, there are actually a number of breast changes that could indicate early symptoms. According to a national consumer survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), less than half recognize other common symptoms associated with the disease.

Breasts change throughout a person’s lifetime. It’s important to know your breasts and routinely complete a self-exam. These symptoms can indicate different types of breast cancer:

1 A red, swollen breast that’s warm to the touch

This happens most commonly due to infection or systemic inflammation. In some cases, your skin could resemble the texture of an orange peel. That dimpled texture could be a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer, which is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer. To determine the cause of your symptom, you should contact your general health care provider for evaluation and diagnosis.

2 The nipple starts inverting, pulling inward

As a tumor grows within the breast, it will sometimes tug part of the breast tissue toward the tumor, causing that nipple to become inverted.

3 Scaly, dry skin around the nipple

This can resemble a rash on the nipple, which may become red and irritated. The nipple may look like it’s scabbed over. This can be associated with benign causes, such as contact dermatitis or infection; however, it also can be a sign of a subtype of breast cancer called Paget’s disease, which commonly only involves the nipple. A specialist will schedule additional imaging to determine whether it’s only the nipple or if cancer is also present within the breast.

4 Secretions other than milk from the nipple

While some women have milky discharge that’s not a cause for concern, spontaneously producing nipple discharge can be a breast cancer symptom. If the fluid is clear or bloody, it’s especially a cause for concern.

5 Swelling around the armpit or breast itself that creates a noticeable size difference

This can happen if the tumor extends into the armpit while rapidly growing. More commonly, there are lymph nodes in this area that are enlarging due to inflammatory changes associated with infection, allergies and recent vaccinations in that arm. Although our breasts are naturally different sizes, a noticeable change in one breast size may be a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a health care provider.

From our experts: Your guide to breast cancer prevention