Actor Lucy Davis, 53, known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in the television series The Office, was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer 18 months ago after noticing a small, hard spot on her breast. The cancer had already metastasized to her spine, right hip, and ribs, leading her to announce on Instagram that chemotherapy is no longer an option.

Dr. Liz O'Riordan, a former consultant breast surgeon who has experienced breast cancer three times herself, highlighted that approximately one in 20 people are diagnosed with metastatic cancer, and some present with no symptoms other than changes in the breast. Scans often reveal the extent of the spread.

Dr. O'Riordan noted that while she regularly informed women about their breast cancer diagnoses, delivering the news of an incurable disease was particularly devastating. She pointed out that breast cancer is increasingly common, with one in seven women expected to develop it if they live to 80. The diagnosis rate for women under 50 is also rising.

Despite the prevalence, screening mammogram attendance is around six in ten women, and only four in ten regularly check their breasts. A 2025 survey indicated that many women forget to perform self-checks, lack confidence in how to do them, or are unaware of the proper technique. Dr. O'Riordan learned how to check her breasts in medical school and recommends resources from Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel for proper guidance.

To raise awareness, Dr. O'Riordan outlined 12 signs of breast cancer that are not always lumps:

  1. Skin color change: Redness on lighter skin or a darker, purplish, or bruised appearance on darker skin. The area may also be painful or hot to the touch. While often due to infection like mastitis, persistent redness could indicate inflammatory breast cancer.
  2. Swollen or orange peel-like skin: This symptom, also associated with inflammatory breast cancer, occurs when lymph vessels are blocked, causing fluid buildup and a dimpled texture resembling orange peel or cellulite.
  3. Dimpling or tethering in the skin: A tumor pulling on breast tissue can cause an indentation visible when the arms are raised or hands are pushed onto hips.
  4. Nipple turning inward: A sudden inversion of the nipple that cannot be manually corrected may indicate a tumor behind it.
  5. Nipple rash: A new, persistent rash on the nipple that doesn't improve with steroid cream, or one that grows larger with redness and soreness, could be Paget's disease, a rare breast cancer.
  6. Bloody or clear nipple discharge: While yellow, green, or brownish discharge often resolves with time, clear, watery, or bloody discharge can be a sign of cancer.
  7. Breast thickness or fullness: An unusual increase in thickness or fullness in one breast, beyond normal menstrual cycle changes, could signal lobular breast cancer, which grows in sheets and can be difficult to detect on imaging.
  8. Change in breast size or shape: A sudden alteration in the size or shape of one breast, beyond natural asymmetry, warrants medical attention.
  9. A breast lump: While common and often benign in younger women, any new breast lump should be examined and scanned.
  10. Lump in the armpit: An enlarged lymph node in the armpit that is not related to illness could be a sign of various cancers, including breast cancer.
  11. Recurrent breast cysts: While many cysts are benign, persistent or complex cysts should be evaluated for cancerous tissue within their walls.
  12. Persistent, one-sided breast pain: While breast pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer, it can be related to cancer if accompanied by a lump or dimpling.

Dr. O'Riordan emphasized the importance of regular breast self-examinations to detect signs of cancer early, increasing the chances of a cure. Her message to the public is to check breasts monthly, stating, "It might just save your life."