What does a breast lump feel like with triple-negative breast cancer?

The lump may feel firm, solid, or irregular and may seem less mobile under the fingers. It can develop in one breast and may not hurt. Changes such as skin puckering, swelling, nipple inversion, or enlarged underarm nodes can occur, but their presence or absence does not confirm triple-negative disease. Testing of tissue is needed to identify tumour characteristics.

Contact a clinician about a new lump that persists, enlarges, or feels different from the surrounding breast. Bring details about when it appeared and any family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Examination and imaging may be followed by a biopsy, which allows the diagnosis and tumour features to be assessed.

Seek prompt review for a persistent lump, bloody discharge, a newly inverted nipple, skin dimpling, or swelling in the breast or armpit. Get urgent help if redness, heat, fever, or rapidly increasing swelling makes you feel unwell.

Ask which scan is suitable, whether a biopsy is needed, and how tissue testing identifies receptor status. Ask when results should be discussed and which new symptoms should be reported while you wait.