Finding a lump in your breast may leave you in a cold sweat. But here’s a reassuring fact: It usually isn’t cancer. What could it be? We talked with two breast experts at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute to find out all about breast symptoms and tell you what to do about them. Talk to your doc about any changes in your breasts.
Soft lump
The symptom: A soft, smooth, round lump (like a grape) that moves a little when you press on it and may cause pain when touched; it can be small or large.
Could be: Cysts, or sacs filled with natural fluid.
Caused by: Hormone changes around your period. As many as 30 percent of women between 35 and 50 get them.
What to do: Get an ultrasound to see if the lump is filled with fluid or is solid (and possibly cancerous). Your doctor can insert a needle to drain fluid and relieve pressure if the cyst is painful (although it may come back). Taking the Pill may lower the incidence of cysts.
Fluid
The symptom: Fluid leaking from both nipples.
Could be: Milky discharge.
Caused by: A thyroid or pituitary gland problem, perhaps. Other obvious causes are pregnancy, birth control pills, or nipple stimulation.
What to do: Talk to your doc; if it’s a gland problem, it’s usually treatable with medication.
Soft mass
The symptom: A soft, lumpy mass about 1 to 4 inches wide, accompanied by tenderness in one or both breasts before your period.
Could be: Fibrocystic changes.
Caused by: Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, which can thicken breast tissue. The problem affects more than 50 percent of women and often comes and goes until menopause.
What to do: Reduce pain by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or by wearing a supportive bra. Limiting fat and caffeine in your diet may help, too. Talk to your doc if symptoms persist. (Find 5 Ways to Cut Your Breast Cancer Risk.)
Hard mass
The symptom: A hard, solid mass that has irregular or jagged sides, as opposed to smooth edges. It usually won’t move or “give” when you push it.
Could be: Cancerous tumor.
Caused by: Nobody knows for sure. Age and family history are risk factors, and studies show that having two alcoholic drinks per day ups your risks by 10 percent.
What to do: Call your doctor and get a mammogram.
Hard lump
The symptom: A hard, round, clearly defined lump (which could be very small or up to 5 inches wide) that can be moved around under the skin without any pain.
Could be: Fibroadenomas.
Caused by: Changing hormone levels. These benign tumors are not as common as cysts, but they’re not unusual among women in their 20s and 30s.
What to do: Get a mammogram. A biopsy is probably unnecessary, according to the latest research, but check with your doctor. Surgical removal is an option if the tumor is large.
By Jennifer Matlack
(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO/HEALTH)
Related Links:
Comments (15)
I had a mammogram and an ultra sound because I found a hard very small lump in my breast. The radiologist told me to come back in 6 months to a year because it was most likely a fibroid. I insisted on a biopsy and found out the next day I had breast cancer. After my lumpectomy they found many small tumors and that the cancer had spread to 8 lymph nodes. I was a stage III breast cancer. I don’t feel there is ever a time that a biopsy is unnecessary. Had I waited 6 months to a year, I don’t know what the outcome would have been. I am now 1 year cancer free.
I was in my 30’s when I found a lump and had it biopsied first by needle and then surgically.
Nothing strange except for the fact that I’m male. Perhaps it would be nice to mention that this not a female only issue.
Thomas
Nipples tender and sensitive. Yellow discharge, dried on nipples. age 67 on prednisone for temporal artery disease and Imuran for two years still reducing dose. Take prempro 0.625 daily also have since menopause.
Mammogram no CA. Dr. treated with two rounds antibiotics. Still have symptoms. Breast Fribrocystic
Would you recommend further studies? Biopsy?
I had a mammogram test back today,the told me to contact my doctor ,I guess for more test,I never felt nothing straNge<im scary to death,my mother is cancer survivor(breast cancer)Im really scare!!I know I have to mail or contact my doctor,but will help me if somebody,has been in similar situation.
I came in from overseas and it has been 4 yrs since my last mammogram. This time they called me back for an ultrasound and the results said “probably benign 5 mm cyst”. I asked to have it removed, as my 36yr old niece died last year from breast cancer that had spread to her brain and liver….my sister and aunt and grandmothers had breast cancer.
The surgeon I went to see said if the last MMI didn’t show the cyst…she would take aggressive action…I am 59.
When I brought the reports, the MMI clinic let her know that they had a slot for me to have a biopsy done and they would train her to do the biopsy with some kind of special needle.
She refused to do it and said I was ok…TO SAY THE LEAST…I AM MAD.The last MMI didn’t mention a cyst.
I feel I must have it done, my daughter has a cyst also in the same breast, just like my niece…just like me.
Do I have the right to demand a biopsy?
Jill I read your post and felt like I had written myself. My email is Mom2NoahNLillian@aol.com and I would love to talk with you. Everything follows yours EXCEPT I am currently waiting on the results of my biopsy (which the doctor recommended for precaution). I found a lump in my left breast. Went to my doctor and she sent me in for an ultrasound and mammogram. The radiologist believes my lump to be a oily, fat necrosis. Was recommended to come back in 6months. I had a mother die of cancer (non-breast), a father recently staged 3 esphogial cancer, and a history of post-menopausal breast cancer. A paternal grandmother (survived but developed cancer in another region), and a paternal great-aunt (died from breast cancer). I discussed with my doctor that I was concerned with the finding. Something about the words “probably benign” didn’t sit right with me. I was then referred to a breast expert. I go to the appointment thinking she would say that the radiologist was right that there was nothing to be concerned. What I got was that she trusted the radiologist’s opinion (sounds promising), but then after doing a breast exam blindsides me with wanting to do a biopsy (for precaution). She says its probably nothing, but just to make sure. The things was my 3-year-old attended my appointment with me because I thought it was going to be an in and out thing. I’m scared. I’m worried. I keep telling myself I have a lot of good on my side (statistics right…). But, I can’t help but have this bad feeling. I read articles and briefly my hopes are high, but quickly that ugly monster rears its ugly head. Am I crazy?
i find a bump on my left breast and i so scared and i dont like doctors so what else can i do ?
In year 2003,i already tried an ultrasound test,found out that there were some fibrocystic in both breast (in different sizes).I never returned to see my OB-Gyne.One day, i tried squezing my left breast,i have seen a clear-light brown fluid.Fibrocystic should be treated? What would you suggest?
i have no clue what to look for when self- examining for breast cancer. i’ve tried looking for online but i can’t find anything that best describes it. i found a lump on the surface of my breast and tried popping it but really dark blood came out. i need to know what to do. i don’t want to go to the doctor if it’s nothing, i don’t have insurance. please help!!!
hi, i found a lump last night after my bath,it is oval in shape, the skin is red, i went to the docs this morning, she said shes almost sure its a cyst, but has reffered me to the breast clinic, i am still a bit worried, as had cysts before and they werent like this,i had a hysterectomy in october, was bleeding for two years,had a huge fibroid was worried i had cancer, but i was very lucky, thought that was it now i find a lump in my breast, hope i’ll be o.k, well i have to be got two chldren, 3 and 14years need to be o.k for them. on hrt theres a risk with breast cancer taking that, and my mums had breast cancer.
im 16years old and i have found a lump it seems like the one describbed as ‘hard lump’ im really scared about it and im not sure what to do. But i have found this lump in both of my breasts i was thinking maybe it could be the one to do with periods and hormones? but im totally unsure about it all, i ave been on and read through many sites about breast cancer and other tumours/cysts or anything that culd be if a lump is found. I havnt told anybody about this, i just told my bestfriend now. She’s making me go to the doctors but i dont want to because then ill have to tell people why ive been or why i am going and i dont want anyone to know because if i say it i have to face it that it might be true. i just dont know what to do :(
can anyone offer me any advice? or help me out by letting me know about other things it could be or providing me with any information i may need?
Emma-
You are so young and your perspective is out of focus. Which would be worse, other people knowing and you having to face whatever it is or finding out too late that it is something serious? It most likely isn’t at your age, but it is still nothing to mess with. Talk to an adult and so what you need to do!
i have a younger sister that just did operation on her left side of breast, we found out that she have lumps on her left side of breast, so please isn’t any drug u poeple will recommed for me, so that the lump will go totally and also ought to lead to cancer
I am only 14, i found a lump in my breast. what would this be?
Hi Stacy, I’m an editor at Health.com. My best advice would be to see your doctor–only a medical professional can say for sure! All the best, Theresa