Is it normal to feel lumps in your breasts

There may be a nipple discharge and a dimpling of the skin over the lump. A lipoma is soft, noncancerous lump that is generally movable and painless. It is a benign, fatty tumor. A breast cancer lump or tumor usually feels hard or firm.

It typically has an irregular shape, and it may feel as if it is stuck to the skin or deep tissue within the breast. Breast cancer is not usually painful, especially in the early stages. It can develop in any part of the breast or nipple, but it is most common in the upper outer quadrant. Some malignant tumors are painful.

This can happen when they are large, and if they cause other structures in the breast to be compressed, or if they ulcerate or grow through the skin.

Five steps for a breast self-examination. It is important for women to be familiar with their bodies and their breasts. Knowing how the breasts normally feel can help to recognize any problematic changes or lumps. The following guidelines will help women carry out a self examination. While it is worth seeing a doctor about any breast lump that causes concern, treatment is not often needed, depending on the cause of the lump.

The doctor will carry out a physical examination and they may recommend a mammogram or ultrasound scan to check what kind of lump is present. If there is a cyst or a fibrous lump, they may recommend monitoring the lump but not taking any further action. If there is an abscess, the doctor may lance and drain it with a fine needle, and prescribe antibiotics. If the doctor suspect cancer , a biopsy may be taken. If cancer is found, treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy , depending on the stage of the cancer.

If this gene is present and breast cancer has occurred, preventive surgery may be an option to prevent a recurrence. Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it is a good idea to have them checked by a medical professional.

Calls to the Komen Breast Care Helpline are answered by a trained and caring staff member Monday through Friday from a. The helpline provides free, professional support services to anyone who has questions or concerns about breast cancer, including people diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Skip to content. If You Find a Lump If you feel a lump or change in your breast, try not to panic or worry.

Breast tissue naturally has a bumpy texture. Some women have lumpier breasts than others. In most cases, this lumpiness is no cause to worry. But it's important to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to a GP. Every woman's breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency.

It's also possible for one breast to be larger than the other. Get used to how your breasts feel at different times of the month. This can change during your menstrual cycle. In addition, Dr. Joshi says you shouldn't avoid having a lump checked just because you're worried about having a painful biopsy.

Lastly, if you're nervous about going to your doctor's office to have a lump checked during COVID, don't be. Houston Methodist doctor offices and imaging centers have enhanced safety measures in place and are taking extra precautions to keep you safe during your appointment or mammogram, including:. So, you feel a lump in your breast. Or, is it a lump? You're unsure. What does a breast lump feel like? Which breast lumps should women worry about? So how can you tell if a breast lump needs to be checked out by a doctor?