Breast Cancer Symptoms, Screening and Self-Checks

Breast cancer can cause a lump, but a lump is not the only possible symptom. Changes in the skin, nipple, shape of the breast, upper chest or armpit can also need assessment. Knowing what is normal for your own body makes it easier to notice something new.

Most breast changes are not cancer. Lumps can be caused by cysts, fibroadenomas, hormonal changes, infections and other benign conditions. Breast pain is also extremely common and, on its own, is rarely caused by cancer. Even so, a new or unexplained change should be checked rather than diagnosed at home.

Breast awareness and breast screening are not the same thing. Breast awareness means regularly looking at and feeling your breasts or chest so you recognise changes. NHS breast screening uses mammograms to look for cancers that may be too small to see or feel.

Screening does not replace symptom awareness. A normal mammogram does not guarantee that breast cancer cannot develop before the next invitation, and anyone who notices a concerning change should contact a GP rather than wait for their next screening appointment.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Breast cancer symptoms vary. Some cancers are found during routine screening before the person has noticed anything unusual. Others first become apparent as a lump or visible change.

Possible symptoms include:

• a new lump or swelling in the breast;
• a lump or swelling in the upper chest;
• a lump or swelling in the armpit;
• a new area of thickening;
• a change in breast size or shape;
• skin dimpling, puckering or an orange-peel texture;
• redness, darkening or inflammation of the skin;
• a nipple that has become pulled inward;
• a change in the position or shape of the nipple;
• a persistent rash, scaling or crusting around the nipple;
• unusual nipple discharge, particularly if bloody;
• persistent pain in one breast or armpit;
• swelling around the collarbone or armpit.

The British charity Breast Cancer Now advises checking the entire breast or chest area, including the upper chest to the collarbone and the armpits, rather than focusing only on the centre of each breast.

A breast lump

A cancerous breast lump is often described as firm, irregular or less mobile than the tissue around it, but this description is not reliable enough for self-diagnosis.

Breast cancers can sometimes feel:

• smooth;
• round;
• soft;
• tender;
• mobile;
• similar to a benign lump.

Any new or unexplained lump should therefore be assessed, even when it does not match the stereotypical description of cancer.

A lump in the armpit

Lymph nodes in the armpit can swell because of:

• infection;
• recent vaccination;
• skin inflammation;
• an injury to the arm;
• breast cancer or another cancer.

A new armpit lump that persists, grows or has no obvious explanation should be checked.

Skin dimpling or puckering

Fibrous tissue beneath the skin can pull the surface inward, producing a dimple or puckered area.

This may become more visible when:

• raising the arms;
• leaning forward;
• tightening the chest muscles;
• looking from the side in a mirror.

Orange-peel skin

Swelling around hair follicles can make the skin resemble orange peel. The medical term is peau d’orange.

This needs prompt assessment, particularly when accompanied by:

• rapid enlargement;
• redness;
• warmth;
• breast heaviness;
• nipple change.

Changes in skin colour

Redness or inflammation may be more difficult to recognise on brown or black skin.

Look for:

• an area darker than the surrounding breast;
• a purple or dusky tone;
• new warmth;
• swelling;
• skin texture changes;
• one breast looking noticeably different from the other.

Nipple inversion

Some nipples naturally point inward and have always done so.

The more concerning change is a nipple that:

• used to point outward but has become pulled in;
• has changed position;
• looks distorted;
• cannot be gently brought forward as before.

Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge has many benign causes.

It is more likely to require prompt assessment when it:

• comes from one breast;
• appears without squeezing;
• is bloody or clear;
• comes from a single duct;
• occurs with a lump or nipple change.

Milky discharge from both breasts may relate to pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormones or medicines and also deserves assessment when unexpected.

A nipple rash

A persistent red, scaly, crusted or eczema-like rash affecting the nipple can occasionally represent Paget’s disease of the nipple.

Ordinary eczema often affects surrounding skin and may occur on both sides. Paget’s disease commonly begins directly on one nipple and does not settle with routine treatment.

Breast pain

Breast pain by itself is rarely caused by cancer.

Common causes include:

• hormonal changes;
• menstrual cycles;
• pregnancy;
• menopause;
• poorly fitting bras;
• chest-wall muscle pain;
• cysts;
• medicines.

Persistent pain in one specific area, especially when associated with a lump, skin change or nipple symptom, should be assessed.

How should you check your breasts or chest?

There is no single medically perfect self-examination technique.

The aim is not to perform a clinical examination on yourself or identify every harmless lump. It is to become familiar with your usual appearance and texture so that you notice something new.

The NHS suggests checking your breasts or chest about once a month.

Use touch, look and check

Breast Cancer Now describes a simple approach:

• Touch: feel for anything new or unusual;
• Look: check whether anything appears different;
• Check: report any new or unusual change to a GP.

Look in the mirror

Stand somewhere with good lighting and look at your breasts or chest:

• with your arms relaxed;
• with your arms raised;
• with your hands pressed on your hips;
• from the front and each side.

Look for:

• new differences in shape or size;
• dimpling;
• swelling;
• skin-colour changes;
• nipple retraction;
• a rash or crusting;
• unexpected discharge.

Feel the entire area

You can check while:

• standing;
• lying down;
• showering;
• getting dressed;
• applying moisturiser.

Use the flat parts of your fingers rather than pinching the tissue between finger and thumb.

Feel:

• the whole breast;
• the upper chest to the collarbone;
• the area towards the armpit;
• the armpit itself;
• around and behind the nipple.

How hard should you press?

Using different levels of pressure can help you notice tissue at different depths:

• light pressure for tissue near the skin;
• moderate pressure for deeper tissue;
• firmer but comfortable pressure near the chest wall.

Checking should not cause significant pain or bruising.

Do you need to follow a pattern?

No specific pattern has been shown to be essential, but a consistent routine can help you avoid missing an area.

You might check:

• in circles from the nipple outward;
• in vertical strips;
• in sections like slices of a clock.

The best method is the one you will remember and use consistently.

When should you check?

If you have periods, breast tissue may feel more tender or lumpy before menstruation.

You may find it easier to check:

• around a week after your period ends;
• at a similar point in each cycle;
• when hormonal tenderness is lowest.

If you do not have periods, choose a memorable date each month.

What should normal breast tissue feel like?

Normal tissue can feel:

• soft;
• firm;
• uneven;
• rope-like;
• nodular;
• different in each breast.

Many people naturally have one breast larger than the other. Breasts also change with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change and age.

The important question is not whether the tissue feels perfectly smooth. It is whether something feels new or different for you.

Can checking too often be unhelpful?

Yes. Checking several times every day can increase anxiety and make ordinary fluctuations feel alarming.

Monthly awareness is generally enough unless a clinician has advised monitoring a particular change.

What breast changes are usually benign?

Most people referred to a breast clinic do not receive a cancer diagnosis.

Common benign conditions include cysts, fibroadenomas, hormonal nodularity, duct changes, infection and chest-wall pain.

Breast cysts

A cyst is a fluid-filled sac.

It may feel:

• smooth;
• round or oval;
• mobile;
• tender;
• larger before a period.

Cysts are especially common before menopause.

A clinician cannot always confirm a cyst by touch alone, so imaging may still be needed.

Fibroadenomas

A fibroadenoma is a benign solid lump, common in younger women.

It is often:

• smooth;
• firm;
• rubbery;
• mobile beneath the skin;
• painless.

New lumps still need assessment because a person cannot safely diagnose a fibroadenoma by feel alone.

Hormonal breast changes

Breasts may become:

• more tender before a period;
• temporarily swollen;
• more nodular;
• sensitive during pregnancy;
• different during perimenopause.

A change that clearly settles after a period may be hormonal, but persistent or one-sided abnormalities should be checked.

Mastitis and breast abscess

Mastitis causes inflammation, often during breastfeeding.

Symptoms can include:

• redness;
• warmth;
• swelling;
• pain;
• fever;
• flu-like symptoms.

An abscess is a collection of pus that may require drainage and antibiotics.

Non-breastfeeding women can also develop breast infections. Persistent inflammation that does not improve as expected needs further assessment.

Fat necrosis

Fat necrosis can produce a firm lump after:

• an injury;
• surgery;
• radiotherapy;
• breast reconstruction;
• sometimes no remembered trauma.

It is benign but can resemble cancer on examination or imaging.

Chest-wall pain

Pain that feels as though it comes from the breast may originate from:

• rib joints;
• chest muscles;
• the shoulder;
• the neck;
• inflammation around the ribs.

It may worsen with movement, posture or pressing on a rib.

Why benign-looking changes still need assessment

The appearance and feel of benign and malignant breast conditions can overlap.

A healthcare professional may need:

• clinical examination;
• ultrasound;
• mammography;
• biopsy;

before the cause is clear.

When should you see a GP?

Contact a GP whenever you notice a new or unusual breast, chest or armpit change.

You do not need to wait several menstrual cycles to see whether a definite new lump disappears.

Book an appointment for:

• a new lump;
• a new area of thickening;
• persistent swelling in the breast or armpit;
• skin puckering or dimpling;
• a new nipple inversion;
• bloody or spontaneous nipple discharge;
• a persistent one-sided nipple rash;
• a change in breast size or shape;
• persistent localised pain;
• any change that worries you.

What happens at the GP appointment?

The GP may ask:

• when you first noticed the change;
• whether it is changing;
• whether it varies with your menstrual cycle;
• whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• about previous breast problems;
• about medicines and hormones;
• about breast and ovarian cancer in your family.

They may examine:

• both breasts;
• the nipples;
• the armpits;
• the area around the collarbones.

Will every lump be referred urgently?

Referral decisions depend on age, symptoms and examination.

NICE recommends a suspected-cancer pathway referral for people aged 30 or over with an unexplained breast lump, with or without pain. Concerning nipple changes, skin changes and other findings may also justify urgent referral.

An urgent referral does not mean the GP believes you definitely have cancer. It means the change needs specialist assessment promptly.

What is the suspected-cancer pathway?

The pathway is designed to arrange assessment quickly when symptoms could represent cancer.

It may be called:

• an urgent suspected-cancer referral;
• a two-week-wait referral;
• a rapid-access breast-clinic referral.

Terminology and exact waiting targets vary across the UK.

What if you are under 30?

Breast cancer is less common in younger adults, but it can occur.

Younger people with a lump may initially have a non-urgent breast referral or ultrasound, depending on the findings. A clearly concerning change can still be referred urgently regardless of age.

Do not wait for screening

Routine screening is not designed to assess a symptom.

If you notice a lump shortly before a mammogram appointment, contact your GP or the screening service for advice rather than assuming the routine test is all you need.

What happens at a breast clinic?

A specialist breast clinic may complete examination, imaging and tissue sampling during one visit. This is sometimes called triple assessment.

The three parts are:

1. clinical examination;
2. breast imaging;
3. biopsy or needle sampling when needed.

Not everyone needs all three.

Clinical examination

A breast clinician will examine the breasts and lymph-node areas.

They may assess:

• the size and position of a lump;
• whether it moves;
• skin or nipple changes;
• the armpits;
• whether pain appears to come from the chest wall.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation.

It is especially useful for:

• younger people with denser breast tissue;
• distinguishing a cyst from a solid lump;
• examining a specific abnormal area;
• assessing lymph nodes;
• guiding a biopsy.

Diagnostic mammography

Diagnostic mammography is performed because a symptom has been identified.

It differs from routine screening because:

• the images focus on a particular concern;
• additional angles may be taken;
• ultrasound may be added;
• a radiologist may review the area in more detail.

Biopsy

A biopsy removes a small sample for laboratory analysis.

Common types include:

• core needle biopsy;
• fine-needle aspiration in selected circumstances;
• vacuum-assisted biopsy.

Local anaesthetic is usually used for a core biopsy.

Bruising and tenderness are common afterwards.

Will you receive results immediately?

Examination and imaging findings may be explained on the day.

Biopsy results take longer because the tissue must be processed and examined by a pathologist.

The clinic should explain:

• when results will be available;
• how you will receive them;
• whether another appointment is needed;
• who to contact with concerns.

What if all tests are normal?

A normal assessment is reassuring.

Return to the GP or breast clinic if:

• the lump grows;
• a new symptom appears;
• the change does not settle as expected;
• you remain concerned despite reassurance.

How does NHS breast screening work?

Breast screening uses low-dose X-rays called mammograms to look for early signs of breast cancer in people who do not have symptoms.

It can identify cancers too small to feel.

Who is invited?

Across the UK, routine screening is generally offered every three years from age 50 until around age 70 or the 71st birthday.

In England:

• the first invitation is normally sent between ages 50 and 53;
• invitations continue every three years until the 71st birthday;
• women aged 71 or over can request screening every three years.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also operate three-yearly programmes for women broadly aged 50 to 70, with details determined by each national programme.

Why does the first invitation not always arrive at 50?

Screening units invite people in batches according to GP practice and local schedules.

Your first appointment may therefore occur any time between your 50th and 53rd birthdays in England.

Make sure your GP has your current:

• name;
• address;
• telephone number;
• email address.

Can people over 70 still be screened?

Yes. Routine invitations usually stop, but women above the programme’s upper age can contact their local breast-screening unit to request an appointment.

Symptoms should still be reported to a GP rather than managed through routine self-referral screening.

What happens during a mammogram?

At the appointment:

1. you undress above the waist in private;
2. a female mammographer positions one breast on the machine;
3. the breast is compressed between two plates;
4. X-rays are taken from different angles;
5. the process is repeated for the other breast.

Compression lasts only a few seconds for each image but can feel uncomfortable or painful.

How can you make screening more comfortable?

You may find it helpful to:

• wear a skirt or trousers rather than a dress;
• avoid deodorant or talcum powder if instructed by the unit;
• tell the mammographer about pain or mobility problems;
• ask them to pause if you need a break;
• avoid booking during a particularly tender part of your cycle where rescheduling is practical.

How are results sent?

Results are usually sent by post and may also be copied to your GP.

Possible outcomes include:

• no sign of cancer;
• an invitation for further assessment;
• occasionally a request to repeat technical images.

Being recalled does not mean you have cancer

People are recalled because:

• an area needs closer examination;
• the image was unclear;
• there is a benign-looking change that needs confirmation;
• a previous mammogram is unavailable for comparison.

Further assessment may include:

• additional mammograms;
• ultrasound;
• clinical examination;
• biopsy.

What are the benefits and limitations of breast screening?

Breast screening can find cancer earlier and reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.

However, screening is not perfect and involves disadvantages as well as benefits.

Potential benefits

Screening may:

• find cancer before it can be felt;
• allow treatment at an earlier stage;
• reduce the likelihood that extensive surgery is needed;
• reduce breast-cancer mortality;
• identify small invasive cancers or ductal carcinoma in situ.

False-negative results

A mammogram can miss cancer.

This may happen because:

• the cancer is very small;
• it is difficult to distinguish from dense breast tissue;
• it is located in a difficult area;
• it develops between screening appointments.

This is why a normal result should never be used to dismiss a new symptom.

Interval cancers

An interval cancer is diagnosed after a normal screening mammogram but before the next scheduled screen.

It may have:

• been too small to detect previously;
• been hidden on the mammogram;
• developed after screening;
• grown relatively quickly.

False-positive results

A recall can cause anxiety and further testing, even when no cancer is found.

Some people undergo:

• extra mammograms;
• ultrasound;
• biopsy;
• several days or weeks of uncertainty.

Overdiagnosis

Screening sometimes identifies a cancer that would never have caused symptoms or shortened the person’s life.

At present, doctors cannot always know which screen-detected cancers will remain harmless and which will progress.

This means some people receive surgery, radiotherapy or medicine for a cancer that might never have affected them.

Radiation exposure

Mammography uses a low dose of radiation.

The risk from this radiation is small, and screening programmes judge that the benefits outweigh the risks for the invited age group.

Dense breasts

Breasts contain different proportions of fatty and fibroglandular tissue.

Dense tissue:

• is common;
• is not something you can reliably feel;
• can make cancers harder to see on mammography;
• is itself associated with increased breast-cancer risk.

Routine UK screening does not currently provide additional ultrasound or MRI to every woman with dense breasts.

Should younger women pay for private screening?

Routine mammography is not recommended for every younger woman without symptoms because:

• breast cancer is less common at younger ages;
• younger breast tissue is often denser;
• false-positive findings become more likely;
• screening involves radiation and possible unnecessary biopsies;
• the overall balance of benefit and harm differs.

A younger person with symptoms needs diagnostic assessment, not general private screening.

Who may need earlier or more frequent screening?

Some people have a substantially higher-than-average risk because of their family history, a genetic variant, previous radiotherapy or another recognised factor.

They may be offered annual mammograms, MRI or a combination of tests outside the routine population programme.

Family history

Tell your GP if close relatives have had:

• breast cancer at a young age;
• cancer in both breasts;
• male breast cancer;
• ovarian cancer;
• pancreatic cancer;
• prostate cancer associated with a known hereditary syndrome;
• a confirmed BRCA or other cancer-risk genetic variant.

The pattern matters more than the number of relatives alone.

Which relatives are most relevant?

Family history can come from either side of the family.

Relevant relatives include:

• mother and father;
• sisters and brothers;
• daughters and sons;
• grandparents;
• aunts and uncles;
• nieces and nephews.

A cancer inherited through the father’s side is not less important.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 can substantially increase breast and ovarian cancer risk.

They can also increase risks of:

• male breast cancer;
• prostate cancer;
• pancreatic cancer.

Genetic testing is not offered simply because someone is anxious about breast cancer. It is usually guided by family history, personal cancer history or a known familial variant.

Previous chest radiotherapy

People who received significant radiotherapy to the chest at a young age—for example, during treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma—may qualify for earlier enhanced surveillance.

Very-high-risk screening

People meeting defined very-high-risk criteria may be offered:

• annual MRI;
• annual mammography;
• different tests at different ages;
• specialist genetic counselling;
• risk-reducing medicine or surgery discussions.

Family history does not explain most breast cancers

Most people diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a strong family history.

This is why everyone should remain aware of symptoms, not only people with affected relatives.

Can you request early screening because you are worried?

A GP can assess your family history and refer to a genetics or family-history service when criteria are met.

Routine mammography below the programme age is not automatically offered solely for reassurance.

Breast cancer in younger women, men and transgender people

Breast cancer most commonly affects women over 50, but it can occur at younger ages and in people of any sex or gender who have breast tissue.

Breast cancer in younger women

Possible symptoms are the same at younger ages:

• a new lump;
• skin dimpling;
• nipple change;
• discharge;
• armpit swelling;
• persistent one-sided change.

A young age makes cancer less likely, but does not make a new lump safe to ignore.

Ultrasound is often the first imaging test in younger women because the breast tissue is usually denser.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Breasts change substantially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Common benign problems include:

• blocked ducts;
• mastitis;
• abscesses;
• milk cysts;
• general lumpiness.

However, a persistent lump or change still needs assessment.

Breast ultrasound is safe during pregnancy, and mammography can be performed with appropriate clinical precautions when needed.

Breast cancer in men

Men have a small amount of breast tissue and can develop breast cancer.

Possible symptoms include:

• a firm lump behind or near the nipple;
• nipple inversion;
• nipple discharge;
• a nipple sore or rash;
• skin dimpling;
• an armpit lump.

Gynaecomastia, a benign enlargement of male breast tissue, is much more common than cancer. It usually feels like a tender disc beneath the nipple, but a new male breast lump should still be examined.

Trans women

Trans women who have developed breast tissue through oestrogen treatment can develop breast cancer.

Screening eligibility may depend on:

• age;
• how long hormones have been used;
• individual risk;
• the sex marker held in NHS records;
• the national screening programme.

People who believe they are eligible but have not been invited should contact their GP or local screening programme.

Trans men and non-binary people

People who retain breast tissue can develop breast cancer.

After chest surgery, some tissue usually remains, so a new lump, skin change, nipple change or swelling still requires assessment.

Screening invitations may depend on the gender marker recorded by the NHS. Discuss individual arrangements with your GP.

Breast implants

People with implants can still have mammography, but the screening unit should be told in advance.

Additional views may be needed to show as much breast tissue as possible.

Implants can also be associated with:

• capsular contracture;
• rupture;
• benign lumps;
• a very rare implant-associated lymphoma.

A new swelling, lump, persistent fluid collection or change around an implant needs specialist assessment.

Frequently asked questions about breast cancer symptoms and screening

What is the most common breast cancer symptom?

A new lump or area of thickening is one of the most commonly noticed symptoms, but skin, nipple, shape and armpit changes can also occur.

Are most breast lumps cancer?

No. Most breast lumps are benign, but a new lump needs assessment because it is not possible to diagnose it safely by touch alone.

Does a cancerous lump hurt?

Many malignant lumps are painless, but some cancers can be tender or painful. Pain does not reliably distinguish cancer from a benign condition.

Is a movable lump always benign?

No. Mobility can suggest a benign lump, but it does not rule out cancer.

Is a hard lump always cancer?

No. Benign conditions such as fibroadenoma or fat necrosis can feel hard. Imaging and sometimes biopsy are needed.

Can breast cancer feel soft?

Yes. There is no single texture shared by all breast cancers.

Can breast cancer cause armpit pain?

It can cause lymph-node swelling or discomfort, but armpit pain has many more common causes.

Is breast pain a sign of cancer?

Breast pain alone is rarely caused by cancer. Persistent localised pain or pain with another breast change should be assessed.

Can breast cancer cause itching?

Persistent itching associated with a nipple rash, redness, swelling or skin change may need assessment. General occasional itching is usually caused by skin irritation.

What does skin dimpling look like?

It may appear as a small indentation, crease or puckered area, sometimes more obvious when the arm is raised.

What is orange-peel skin?

It is swollen, dimpled skin that resembles the surface of an orange. It requires prompt medical assessment.

Is nipple inversion always cancer?

No. Some nipples have always been inverted. A new one-sided inversion is more concerning.

What colour nipple discharge is concerning?

Bloody or clear spontaneous discharge from one nipple needs assessment, although benign conditions can also cause it.

Should I squeeze my nipples to check for discharge?

No. Repeated squeezing can create or prolong discharge. Report fluid that appears spontaneously or other concerning changes.

Can breast cancer look like eczema?

Paget’s disease can cause a persistent eczema-like rash directly on the nipple. A one-sided nipple rash that does not settle should be checked.

How often should I check my breasts?

The NHS recommends becoming familiar with your breasts or chest and checking around once a month.

What is the best day to check?

If you have periods, around a week after the period ends may be more comfortable because hormonal tenderness is often lower.

Do I need to check at the same time every month?

No, but a regular reminder can help you remember and makes comparison easier.

Should I check in the shower or lying down?

Either is acceptable. There is no single required position.

Should breast tissue feel completely smooth?

No. Normal breast tissue is often uneven or nodular, particularly before menopause.

Can checking breasts spread cancer?

No. Touching or pressing a breast does not cause cancer to spread.

Can a bra cause breast cancer?

No convincing evidence shows that underwired bras, tight bras or sleeping in a bra cause breast cancer.

Can an injury cause breast cancer?

An injury does not usually cause breast cancer. It may draw attention to a pre-existing lump or cause benign bruising and fat necrosis.

At what age does NHS breast screening begin?

Routine UK programmes broadly begin at age 50. In England, the first invitation usually arrives between ages 50 and 53.

How often are mammograms offered?

Routine NHS breast screening is generally offered every three years.

Why is screening every three years rather than annually?

The programme balances early detection against radiation, false positives, overdiagnosis, cost and the evidence of benefit in the invited population.

Can I have screening before 50?

Routine population screening is not normally offered below 50. People at increased genetic or treatment-related risk may qualify for earlier surveillance.

Can I pay for a mammogram privately?

Private screening is available, but it is not automatically beneficial for every younger asymptomatic person. Discuss age, breast density and risk with a qualified clinician.

Can I request screening after 70?

Yes. Women above the routine invitation age can usually contact their local screening service and self-refer every three years.

Does a mammogram hurt?

Compression can be uncomfortable or painful, but each image usually takes only a few seconds.

Can mammograms rupture implants?

Rupture is very uncommon, but inform the mammographer about implants so appropriate positioning techniques can be used.

Can a mammogram detect every breast cancer?

No. Mammography can miss cancers, particularly in dense breast tissue or when the cancer is small or difficult to see.

What should I do after a normal mammogram if I find a lump?

Contact your GP. A normal screening result does not remove the need to investigate a new symptom.

What does being recalled after screening mean?

It means further images or tests are needed. Most recalls do not result in a breast-cancer diagnosis.

What is a false positive?

It is a screening result that leads to further investigation but ultimately does not show cancer.

What is overdiagnosis?

It is the detection of a cancer through screening that would never have caused symptoms or affected the person’s lifespan.

What are dense breasts?

Dense breasts contain more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fat. Density can make mammograms harder to interpret and is linked to higher breast-cancer risk.

Can you tell whether breasts are dense by touch?

No. Breast density is assessed on mammography.

Will the NHS offer ultrasound for dense breasts?

Not routinely to every woman. Additional imaging is used when clinically indicated or within high-risk pathways.

Does family history always mean genetic breast cancer?

No. Several relatives may develop breast cancer by chance or through a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. Specialist assessment determines whether testing is appropriate.

Can breast cancer come through the father’s family?

Yes. Cancer-risk genetic variants can be inherited from either parent.

Should men check their chest?

Men should be aware of new lumps, nipple changes, discharge, skin changes or armpit swelling and report anything unusual.

Can men have mammograms?

Yes. Mammography may be used diagnostically when a man has a concerning breast symptom.

Can breast cancer occur during pregnancy?

Yes, although it is uncommon. Persistent lumps during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be assessed.

Is ultrasound safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation.

When should I call a GP?

Contact a GP promptly for any new lump, skin or nipple change, unusual discharge, persistent one-sided pain or another unexplained change.

When is a breast symptom an emergency?

Most breast symptoms are not emergencies. Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness and swelling with fever, severe infection symptoms or serious illness.