Breast problems range from harmless cysts to infections and cancer. Knowing the common warning signs helps you decide when to see a doctor.

Most women notice a lump first. It may feel like a smooth, movable marble (a simple cyst), a firm rubbery knot (a fibroadenoma), or a hard, irregular mass that doesn’t budge. Lumps can be tender or completely painless. Pain itself—dull, heavy, or burning—is common with cysts, hormone changes, or mastitis, but it can also appear with tumors, so don’t ignore it.

Skin changes are another clue. Look for redness, warmth, dimpling that looks like orange peel, or a ridge where the skin pulls inward. The nipple might turn inward, itch, flake, or start leaking clear, bloody, or milky fluid. A scaly, crusty rash on the nipple can signal a problem inside the milk ducts.

Swelling can show up quickly. One breast may suddenly feel heavier or larger, or you may notice a thick, rope-like area. Infections (mastitis) often bring fever, a tender hot spot, and flu-like aches. Large, painless lumps under the arm or above the collarbone can mean lymph-node involvement.

Any change that lasts more than a couple of weeks—or keeps getting worse—should be checked, even if you feel fine.

Symptom	What It Can Mean
New lump or thickening	Cyst, fibroadenoma, cancer—needs imaging
Pain or burning	Hormone shift, cyst, infection, or tumor
Skin dimpling, redness, warmth	Infection, inflammatory cancer
Nipple pulling inward, discharge, or crusty rash	Duct problem, possible cancer
Swelling of one breast or dense cord	Fluid collection, inflammation, tumor
Firm lumps under arm/collarbone	Enlarged lymph nodes—requires exam