• Introduction
• The Breast
• Types of Breast Cancer
• Symptoms of Breast Cancer
• Risk Factors and Protecting Yourself
• Breast Cancer Screening
• Breast Self Examination
• Clinical Breast Examination
• Mammography Screening
• Treatment
• Myths & Truth
• Abreast Link
• Useful links

I never thought I would get breast cancer. It was a difficult period for me but with the help of my family, my support group at Breast Cancer Foundation, and my doctors, I have finally come to terms with my cancer and learnt to face it. More..
- Breast Cancer Survivor

BCF believes that members play an active role in education and raising awareness of breast cancer. Both men and women are encouraged to become members.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Home > Awareness & Education > Symptoms of Breast Cancer

In early stages of breast cancer, there is usually no pain and there may be no symptoms at all. As the cancer grows, the following symptoms could appear:

Consult a doctor if you notice any of the above changes.

There are other breast conditions that might mimic the symptoms of breast cancer and so require further tests to diagnose. These include:

• Cysts (fluid-filled sacs more common in women aged 35 – 50)
• Fibroadenomas (benign tumours made of glandular and fibrous tissue, common in younger women)
• Hyperplasia (a proliferation of cells in the lobes or ducts)
• Calcifications (bits of calcium in the breast)
• Papillomas (small growths that arise from the lining of the breast ducts and are often not more than 0.5-1.0cm in size)
• Phyllus tumors (tumors which tend to grow rapidly to a large size, sometimes up to 8-10cm in size)
• Infections of the breast (lumps due to an infection are usually very painful and there will be skin changes such as redness and swelling over the lump)

Of these, hyperplasia is believed to increase risk for breast cancer while clusters of tiny calcifications (microcalcifications) can be indications of pre-cancer or cancer.