Breast Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors

Breast Cancer Symptoms

The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast. It is important that any new mass, lump, or change in breasts be checked by a health care provider.

Other possible signs of breast cancer that should be checked by a health care provider include:

  • Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt)
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
  • Breast or nipple pain
  • Nipple retraction (when the nipple turns inward)
  • Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk

Sometimes breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the underarm and cause a lump or swelling there, even before a lump in the breast tissue is large enough to be felt. You should tell your health care provider about any swelling in your underarms.

In the early stages, breast cancer may not cause symptoms. This is why getting regular breast cancer screening is so important.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Although the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, there are some factors that may increase the chances of getting the disease:

  • Getting older. Most females* are diagnosed with breast cancer when they are 50 years of age or older
  • Having a close family member (parent, sibling, child) who has had breast cancer, especially at an early age
  • Having certain gene mutations such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2
  • Having had breast cancer or some non-cancerous breast diseases
  • Having dense breasts
  • Having overweight or obesity
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Not getting enough exercise
  • Having a first menstrual period younger than 12 years
  • Starting menopause older than 55 years
  • Never giving birth, or giving birth to a first child after age 30
  • Not breastfeeding
  • Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation to the chest area early in life
  • Using hormone replacement therapy for more than 5 years
  • Using certain birth control pills
  • Feminizing hormone use is a risk factor for transgender women who have used these hormones for 5 or more years.
  • Exposure to the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol). DES was given to some pregnant women in the U.S. between 1940 and 1971. Women who took DES have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them also may have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean a person will get breast cancer. At the same time, not having any risk factors does not mean a person can't get breast cancer. This is why screening is so important!

People with a personal or family history (close family relative) of breast cancer may want to consider genetic counseling to find out if they are at greater risk for getting the disease.

Lowering Breast Cancer Risk

Although there is no known way to completely prevent breast cancer, there are ways to lower your risk. These include:

  • Drinking less alcohol or choosing not to drink
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Choosing a healthy diet. Eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains and eat less red and processed meats (e.g., bacon, sausage, luncheon meats, hot dogs). Talk to your health care provider about your increased risk if you have overweight or obesity
  • Breastfeeding (exclusively breastfeeding during your baby's first 6 months, and continuing for 12 months or longer)
  • Talking to your health care provider about your increased risk if you are using hormone replacement therapy
  • Being aware of your family history and discussing any concerns with your health care provider
  • Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. If you need to quit, visit the NYS Smoker's Quitline or call 1-866-NY-QUITS
  • Discussing the risks and benefits of medical imaging, such as CT scans, with your health care provider to avoid unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation

The most important action people can take is to have routine breast cancer screenings. Regular check-ups and mammograms can find breast cancer early when treatment works best. If you don't have health insurance and need breast cancer screening, call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) or visit the Cancer Services Program website.

* Please note that for the purposes of this webpage, the term "female" is used to refer to individuals who were assigned female at birth (AFAB). In addition, the terms "women" and "female" are used when it is necessary to accurately reflect how data were collected and reported in the original source.