Nipple

·         Blood-stained discharge (very rare)

·         Rash on nipple and surrounding skin (also very rare)

·         Nipple becoming inverted (turned inwards)

·         Lump or thickening, especially if associated with nipple discharge 

·         Nipple discharge is very common and is normally due to benign breast conditions. It is when there is a blood stained or bloody discharge, which should be a cause for concern. 

·         In Paget’s disease of the nipple, there is an association with breast cancer. However, rashes on the nipple or around the nipple (areola region) may also be due to eczema. See your doctor to find out exactly what is the diagnosis. 

·         Nipple inversion may be “normal” in some women and they may be born that way. However, if there is recent nipple inversion for no apparent reason, you should see your doctor immediately. 

Arm 

·         Lump or swelling in the armpit

Pain

Pain in the breast or mastalgia deserves a special mention because this is one of the most common reasons causing a woman to start to feel her breast, become anxious and bring her to the doctor. 

However, pain in the breast is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.  In fact, many healthy women find their breasts lumpy and tender before menstruation and some types of benign breast lumps are painful. Pain is usually due to fibrocystic changes in the breast. 
 

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