Being breast aware means that you know how your breasts normally look and feel. It also means being aware of signs and symptoms of unusual breast changes.
There are a number of benign (noncancerous) conditions that can affect the breast. Many of the symptoms of benign breast conditions are similar to those of breast cancer. However, the most common breast symptoms are likely to be caused by benign conditions.
In this section, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation provides you with information about signs and symptoms of benign breast conditions and encourages to you speak with a health care provider if you see or feel any unusual breast changes.
Signs and symptoms to look for:
Noncyclical pain. Noncyclical pain is breast pain that does not seem to be related to your menstrual period. It may be due to a physical injury or a wound, even long after the injury took place.
Non-breast origin pain. This is discomfort felt in the region of your breast but caused by another condition, such as arthritis or inflammation around the chest wall.
Bacterial infection. Breast infections can cause redness, swelling, fluid discharge and pain. There may be abscesses, or lumps that contain fluid that a health care provider may need to drain. Sometimes the infection is specific to the breasts, and other times the infection is in the entire body but shows up in the breasts.
Nipple discharge. A discharge from your nipple can be caused by one of several conditions, some of which are benign. A small, noncancerous wart-like growth in the breast ducts (called papilloma) can cause bleeding. Discharge can also be caused by a condition called galactorrhea, which is excessive or spontaneous milk flow in women who are not breastfeeding. However, nipple discharge may also be a sign of cancer. If you have nipple discharge that is bloody, spontaneous (occurs without squeezing of the breast or nipple) or from one breast only, report this to a health care provider.
Cysts. Some women develop breast lumps called cysts, which are noncancerous sacs of fluid. Cysts can develop at any time, but are more common as a woman approaches menopause.
Fibroadenomas and other benign lumps. Occasionally you may develop another type of breast lump such as a fibroadenoma. This is a smooth round lump that is not cancerous. If you notice any breast lumps, report this to a health care provider.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages women and men to be breast aware: know how your breasts normally look and feel, know what changes to look for, and discuss any unusual breast changes with a health care provider.
More Information:
Normal breast changes
The healthy breast
Be breast aware
Breast cancer risk factors
About breast cancer