'Red flag' breast cancer symptoms that you should never ignore

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK

Women are being urged to look out for the 'red flag' signs of breast cancer that they should never ignore. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is taking place during October.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and 'anyone can get it', the NHS said. How serious it is depends how big the cancer is, if it has spread and your general health.

So it is important to be aware of the signs as early detection is key. Experts at Higgs LLP are now warning women to be 'vigilant' to the signs of breast cancer.

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Clare Langford, medical negligence expert at Higgs LLP, said: "When it comes to cancer or any life-threatening condition, early detection can save lives. If patients feel something is wrong, they should never hesitate to seek testing or medical attention.

"Symptoms should never be ignored, and it's vital that both patients and healthcare professionals take any concerns seriously to ensure timely diagnosis and care." She added: "October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a crucial time to highlight the importance of recognising early symptoms.

"Unfortunately, as medical negligence lawyers, we often handle cases involving delayed breast cancer diagnoses. Early detection is vital to effectively treating the disease. If you suspect something is wrong, don’t hesitate—get it checked and keep advocating for answers."

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of breast cancer include:

• A lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• A change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• A change in size or shape of 1 or both breasts
• Nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
• A change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
• Pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer

Ms Langford said: "Breast cancer symptoms vary, but a more obvious symptom is a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. Change is also a red flag–change in the texture of the skin, the colour of the breast, or inversion of the nipple.

"Crusting or discharge around the nipple can also be a worry.”

Why is breast cancer misdiagnosed?

Higgs LLP is are also advising patients on what they can do if their doctor has missed the symptoms of breast cancer. Ms Langford said: "Breast cancer is misdiagnosed for a range of reasons , including misinterpretation of diagnostic studies, a delay in diagnostic tests, a failure or delay in consultation, or because of miscommunication.

"Breast cancer can also be misdiagnosed due to doctors and professionals misinterpreting cancer as a cyst or mastitis. Unfortunately, mammograms aren’t 100 per cent accurate."

What are my legal rights if I was misdiagnosed?

You may be able to claim compensation if you were misdiagnosed. Ms Langford said: "If you have experienced misdiagnosis, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

"This is particularly valid if the misdiagnosis has worsened an ongoing medical condition, delayed a correct diagnosis and treatment, or resulted in harm or fatality. Doctors have a duty of care and if they violate these standards, it could be considered as negligence.

"If you think you may be a victim of medical negligence due to misdiagnosis, consult a law firm that specialises in medical negligence and will be able to give you legal advice. You will need to provide evidence that a doctor breached their duty, caused you harm, and that this resulted in measurable losses."

Examples of misdiagnosed breast cancer

Ms Langford said: "We worked on a case where a patient had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1980s and successfully underwent treatment. However, in 2003, a new lump was found in her breast and her GP urgently referred her to a breast clinic.

"Despite undergoing node removal, she continued to suffer from persistent back and neck pain, but follow-up tests, including an MRI and bone scan, reported no signs of cancer spread. Years later, in 2013, the patient returned to her GP with back pain and was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous area in her breast, leading to a mastectomy.

"However, her ongoing back and neck pain remained unresolved, and a referral to a spinal surgeon was never received. Despite further complaints and tests, no action was taken to address her spinal pain.

"In 2016, the patient collapsed, and subsequent investigations revealed that her cancer had spread to her spine and left rib, severely impacting her mobility and quality of life. Unfortunately, the patient passed away in 2023.

"We argued that, given her history of breast cancer, a more thorough "triple test" should have been performed during her initial recurrence in 2003. This test could have led to earlier intervention, preventing the spread of cancer in later years."