What should you know about skin cancer on breast?

A changing mole, scaly patch, sore that does not heal, bleeding area, or firm skin-coloured growth can arise on breast skin. These signs do not by themselves identify cancer. A breast lump is a common presentation of breast cancer, but a lump can also be benign; the skin finding and any deeper breast change should be examined separately.

A clinician may inspect the colour, border, surface, and pattern of change, feel the breast and nearby lymph nodes, and ask when it began. Imaging such as a mammogram or breast MRI may help examine breast tissue, while a breast biopsy can identify the cells in a suspicious area.

Arrange a clinical review for a new or changing breast skin mark, especially if it enlarges, becomes irregular, crusts, or repeatedly bleeds. Do not pick at it or cover it with products that make assessment harder. Note its location, changes, discomfort, and any nipple or breast-shape changes.

If testing confirms breast cancer, the team may discuss lymph-node assessment and tests that help select treatment. A sentinel lymph node biopsy, breast cancer gene expression test, or genomic tumour profiling may be relevant in selected situations.

Seek prompt medical care for rapidly changing skin, persistent bleeding, an open sore, marked redness or warmth, new nipple inversion, bloody nipple discharge, or a newly felt breast or underarm lump. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe infection symptoms, or difficulty breathing. These warning signs call for examination; they do not establish a cancer diagnosis.

Ask what the skin change could represent, whether the breast tissue and lymph nodes need imaging, and whether a biopsy is appropriate. Ask how quickly results are expected, what the proposed treatment is intended to do, and whether further testing would change the plan.