Breast cancer. Conceptual image of a coloured mammogram (breast X-ray, blue) and a woman's breast, representing breast cancer. The black areas in the breast could represent cancerous growths. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Symptoms include painless lumps in the breast, a dark discharge from the nipple, and an indentation of the nipple. Early diagnosis can be made by mammography or self-examination. The cancer can be effectively treated by surgery followed by a course of radiotherapy or anti- cancer drugs to destroy any remaining cancerous cells.