Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men

Breast cancer is rare in men, but it’s important to know that it can happen. Many men don’t realize they can get breast cancer, so they might ignore possible signs or symptoms. If you have any of the signs or symptoms below, it’s important to have them checked by a health care provider.

Most common symptom of breast cancer in men

The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the breast. This is usually (but not always) firm and painless, and it’s often under or near the nipple or areola (the darker skin around the nipple).

Other symptoms of breast cancer in men

Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Skin dimpling or puckering
• Nipple retraction (turning inward)
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or skin over the breast
• Fluid (discharge) leaking from the nipple, which might be bloody

Sometimes breast cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes. This can cause a lump or swelling under the arm or around the collarbone. Sometimes this happens even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt.

What to do if you have symptoms of breast cancer

Lumps and other symptoms aren't always caused by cancer, but if you notice any breast changes, have them checked by a health care provider as soon as possible.