Breast lumps in general
The first symptom of breast cancer for many women is a lump in
their breast. But many women have breast lumps and 9 out of 10 (90%)
are benign. That means they are not cancers.
Most benign breast lumps are
Most benign breast lumps are
- Areas of normal lumpiness that is more obvious just before a period
- Cysts – sacs of fluid in the breast tissue, which are quite common
- Fibroadenoma – a collection of fibrous glandular tissue (these are common in younger women, for example under 30)
Breast symptoms to look out for
Changes that could be due to a breast cancer are
Seeing your doctor early also means that if it does turn out to be cancer, you give yourself the best chance of successful treatment.
- A lump or thickening in an area of the breast
- A change in the size, shape or feel of a breast
- Dimpling of the skin
- A change in the shape of your nipple, particularly if it turns in, sinks into the breast, or has an irregular shape
- A blood stained discharge from the nipple
- A rash on a nipple or surrounding area
- A swelling or lump in your armpit
Seeing your doctor early also means that if it does turn out to be cancer, you give yourself the best chance of successful treatment.
If you find a breast lump
See your doctor straight away. If you notice anything unusual
about your breast, have it examined. Even though most breast lumps are
benign, they need to be checked to rule out cancer. Our page about breast awareness shows how to learn what is normal for you.
Your doctor will examine you and if necessary will send you to a specialist breast clinic for further checks. At the clinic, they will be able to do tests such as a mammogram or ultrasound to see if the lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid lump.
If it is a cyst, the doctor or nurse may get rid of it by draining the fluid out through a fine needle. If it is a solid lump, they will take a tissue sample (core biopsy) to test for cancer cells.
Some women prefer to have benign lumps removed to stop them from worrying that it may be a cancer. They may be concerned that they will confuse the benign lumps with any other lumps they may get in the future. But if you and your doctor are confident that the lump is benign, you don't have to have it removed if you don't want to.
If your lump is a cancer, the earlier you have breast cancer treatment, the better your chance of cure.
Your doctor will examine you and if necessary will send you to a specialist breast clinic for further checks. At the clinic, they will be able to do tests such as a mammogram or ultrasound to see if the lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid lump.
If it is a cyst, the doctor or nurse may get rid of it by draining the fluid out through a fine needle. If it is a solid lump, they will take a tissue sample (core biopsy) to test for cancer cells.
Some women prefer to have benign lumps removed to stop them from worrying that it may be a cancer. They may be concerned that they will confuse the benign lumps with any other lumps they may get in the future. But if you and your doctor are confident that the lump is benign, you don't have to have it removed if you don't want to.
If your lump is a cancer, the earlier you have breast cancer treatment, the better your chance of cure.
Breast pain
Breast pain is very common and is not usually due to cancer.
Many healthy women find that their breasts feel lumpy and tender before a
period. And some benign breast lumps are painful. Many women get pain
in their breasts for a while, which goes after a time. There may be no
obvious reason for the pain, even with lots of tests.
Most breast pain is not caused by cancer, but some breast cancers do cause pain. So if you are worried see your GP, particularly if your breast is also inflamed.
Most breast pain is not caused by cancer, but some breast cancers do cause pain. So if you are worried see your GP, particularly if your breast is also inflamed.
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