What Should I Do When I Find a Lump In My Breast?

Finding a breast lump can be scary. Your healthcare provider should always evaluate new breast lumps in order to rule out breast cancer. But most of the time breast lumps are not cancerous. Read on to know what to look out for and what to do if you find a breast lump.

What type of doctor should I call if I feel a lump in my breast?

If you feel a breast lump, your first step should be to see a primary care provider. They will do an exam and discuss the best next steps, such as an ultrasound or mammogram. It’s important to talk with your doctor right away about anything new or that changes in your breasts. If it’s breast cancer, the earlier you identify and treat it, the better. 

If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can find a health center near you, or you can consider connecting with a telehealth provider.

Conditions other than breast cancer that can cause breast lumps

There are many causes of breast lumps that are not breast cancer. Here are some examples:

• Fluid-filled cysts

• Benign tumors, such as a fibroadenomas 

• Trauma to the breast that causes fat necrosis 

• Normal breast tissue may feel irregular and lumpy

• Breast abscesses 

• Blocked milk ducts, or galactocele

Can menstrual periods cause breast lumps?

In young women, breast lumps can be related to the menstrual cycle. They may come and go during different parts of your cycle. While a breast lump in a young menstruating person can sometimes be monitored, it’s very important that a healthcare provider evaluates any new lump.

What does a cancerous breast lump feel like?

When describing a new breast lump, it can be helpful to think about its location, size, texture, mobility, and if it’s painful or not. 

Cancerous lumps can have the following characteristics:

• Commonly in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast

• May feel “stuck” and lack defined borders

• Usually don’t cause pain

• May increase in size over time

• Can cause skin changes of the breast such as swelling, redness, or dimpling

• May cause nipple changes such as scaling, redness, or itching

• Can cause new nipple discharge

Do cancerous breast lumps hurt?

Breast cancer lumps usually aren’t painful. But, in some cases, breast cancer can cause pain. Any new and persistent pain in the breast should be evaluated — even if you don’t feel a lump.

What percentage of breast lumps are cancerous?

Most of the time, breast lumps are benign — not cancerous. In fact, up to 80% of breast lumps are not breast cancer. The younger a person is, the more likely a breast lump is to be benign. However, it’s important to rule out cancer in all new breast lumps, at any age. 

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Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a focus on chronic care management, women’s health, and mental health. She’s the co-author of “Open Heart: When Open-Heart Surgery Becomes Your Best Option.”.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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