Most breast lumps are noncancerous, which means they are benign. You might be surprised to find a breast lump, but it’s important to remember that it may not affect your long-term health.

However, a breast lump can be a sign of cancer. It’s wise to always seek a medical evaluation of any lumps or swelling you discover on your breasts.

Although breasts are commonly associated with women, breast tissue is present in both men and women. Your hormones affect this tissue. Hormonal changes can cause lumps to form and, in some cases, to naturally disappear. You can develop breast lumps at any age.

Some babies develop breast lumps due to the estrogen they get from their mothers during birth. These generally clear up as the estrogen leaves their bodies.

Pre-pubescent girls sometimes get breast lumps that feel tender. These usually go away naturally during puberty. Adolescent boys can also get breast lumps during puberty. These are temporary and usually disappear in a few months as well.

There are many possible causes for a lump in your breast, including:

  • breast cysts, which are soft, fluid-filled sacs
  • milk cysts, referring to sacs filled with milk
    that can occur during breast-feeding
  • fibrocystic breasts, a condition in which breast
    tissue feels lumpy in texture and is sometimes accompanied by pain
  • fibroadenoma, meaning noncancerous rubbery lumps
    that move easily within the breast tissue and rarely become cancerous
  • hamartoma, which is a benign, tumorlike growth
  • intraductal papilloma, referring to a small,
    non-cancerous tumor in a milk duct
  • lipoma, which is a slow-growing, noncancerous,
    fatty lump
  • mastitis, or an infection of the breast
  • injury
  • breast cancer

Breast tissue varies in consistency, with the upper-outer part of your breast being firm and the inner-lower parts feeling somewhat softer. If you are a woman, your breasts can become more tender or lumpy during your menstrual cycle. Breasts tend to get less dense as you get older.

It is important to be familiar with how your breasts normally feel so you are aware of changes. But keep in mind that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend that your doctor teach you how to examine your breasts on your own. That’s because there’s little evidence that breast self-examination reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. In fact, breast self-examination may cause harm because you’re more likely to find a noncancerous lump, which could be a source of worry. In some cases, this may lead to unnecessary medical procedures to ensure that the lump is benign.

Instead of performing breast self-examination, most experts recommend that women simply be aware of what their breasts normally look and feel like. For example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women practice breast self-awareness. You should report any changes or concerns to your doctor.

Remember, most breast lumps are noncancerous. However, you should make an appointment to see your doctor if:

  • you discover a new lump
  • an area of your breast is noticeably different
    than the rest
  • a lump does not go away after menstruation
  • a lump changes or grows larger
  • your breast is bruised for no apparent reason
  • the skin of your breast is red or begins to
    pucker like an orange peel
  • you have an inverted nipple (if it was not
    always inverted)
  • you notice bloody discharge from the nipple

When you visit your doctor to report a breast lump, they will probably ask you questions about when you discovered the lump, and if you have any other symptoms. They will also perform a physical exam of the breasts.

If your doctor cannot identify the cause of the lump, additional testing may be ordered.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that helps identify breast abnormalities. A diagnostic mammogram can be compared to previous screening mammograms, if available, to see how the breast tissue has changed.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of your breast.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed pictures of your breast.

Fine-Needle Aspiration

Fluid from a breast lump can be removed with a needle. In some cases, an ultrasound is used to guide the needle. Noncancerous cysts go away when the fluid is removed. If the fluid is bloody or cloudy, the sample will be analyzed by a laboratory for cancer cells.

Biopsy

This is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for analysis under a microscope. There are several types of breast biopsy:

  • fine-needle aspiration biopsy—a tissue
    sample is taken during a fine-needle aspiration
  • core needle biopsy—uses an ultrasound for
    guidance; a larger needle is used to get a tissue sample
  • vacuum-assisted biopsy—a probe with a
    vacuum is inserted into a small incision in the skin and a tissue sample is
    removed using an ultrasound for guidance
  • stereotactic biopsy—a mammogram takes
    images from different angles and a tissue sample is taken with a needle
  • surgical biopsy (excisional biopsy)—the
    whole breast lump, along with surrounding tissue, is removed
  • surgical biopsy (incisional biopsy)—only
    part of the lump is removed

Your doctor must determine the cause of your breast lump before he or she can formulate a treatment plan. Not all breast lumps will need treatment.

If you have a breast infection, your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to treat it. If you have a cyst, it can be drained of fluids. Usually, cysts go away after they’re drained. In some cases, cysts do not need to be treated and may disappear on their own.

If the lump is found to be breast cancer, treatment can include:

  • lumpectomy, or removing the lump
  • mastectomy, which refers to removing your breast
    tissue
  • chemotherapy, which uses drugs to fight or
    destroy the cancer
  • radiation, a treatment that uses radioactive
    rays or materials to fight the cancer

Your treatment will depend on the type of breast cancer you have, the size and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread beyond your breast.

There are other causes of breast lumps which do not require any treatment. If you have a breast lump due to an injury, your doctor may recommend allowing your breast time to heal. Some types of breast lump, such as fibroadenoma, in many cases do not need to be removed or treated at all. That’s why it’s important not to jump to conclusions if you find a breast lump. Your doctor can help determine if the lump requires further testing and if any treatment is needed.