A Dimple in Your Breast could be a Sign of Breast Cancer
An indentation in the breast can appear when tight clothing leaves a temporary mark in the skin, or it can be caused by cellulite. But if a dimple in the breast stays in place when you move your arms, if it gets worse, or if it appears on its own, it could be a sign of breast cancer. This symptom occurs when a tumor in the breast pulls the skin and tissue inward, causing the surface of the breast to indent or pucker (Naraynsingh et al, 2021). Sometimes a lump can be felt; sometimes it can’t.
A dimple can be more easily seen by raising your arms up above your head and lowering them back down while watching to see if all of the breast skin moves with you. (Pro tip: Having a light source directly overhead can help cast shadows to show indents more clearly.)
It can be worrying when you notice a dimple in your breast, but you are smart for wanting to check it out. If you are concerned enough to ask google about a breast issue, then that's enough to know you are ready to see a doctor about it. To learn about the steps to take for investigating a breast change and how to have a conversation with your doctor, download our Know Your Lemons app.
You are not alone.
There are many women who have experienced what you are going through right now. Below are some first-hand experiences of women who want to help you understand what to do next and know that you are not alone in your journey. Watch their videos or click on their names to read their full story. If you have an experience with this symptoms please consider sharing your story with us.
“I saw the poster, looked at one of the symptoms... and I thought... 'that actually looks like my breast. I have a dimple in my breast.’ Your poster has quite literally saved my life.”
—Briohny (Australia)
“I just happened to cross my arms. And doing that pushed my breast just enough to show that I had a little dent. You could not see it without crossing the arms. And I went back and I found the image and I went, oh yeah, that's, that's the second image in the egg carton.”
—Jessica E. (Arizona, USA)
“It's really important to know what is normal for your body so that you can say, ‘Right, that's not quite normal this month. Let me just check next month, see if that's still there, and go and get it checked.’"
—Darlaine H. (Surrey, England)
“I stepped out of the shower and was drying off and caught sight of myself in the mirror, and noticed the tiniest little indentation and I knew straight away from the Know Your Lemons training, that it was something that I needed to get checked out. And I remember lifting my arm above my head and it got slightly bigger.”
—Alison I. (Belfast, Ireland)
“Understanding your body is crucial, but sometimes it takes that extra education and information to connect the dots and get the medical advice and attention you need.”
— Tamara E. (Ohio, USA)
“I was looking for the signs that matched my experience. The visual is very informative and gives a clear understanding of what to look for.”
—Lynette J. (Wales, UK)
