7 Reasons a Breast Lump is Not Cancerous
You're in the shower, checking your
breasts, and suddenly your hands freeze – you've found a lump! What
should you do now? First, don't panic and remember this important fact:
80% of lumps found in the breast are benign, meaning they do not destroy
tissues, do not metastasize to distant organs, and have a very low
potential to develop into a malignant and cancerous tumor. If you are
under 40, it's likely there's no reason to worry, and if you regularly
undergo mammography screenings, as long as the results are negative, the
chances are quite good that it’s not a cancerous lump. Still, with all
this information, it’s hard not to worry when finding a lump in the
breast – what is it and why does it happen, what distinguishes a
cancerous lump from a benign one, and will the lump disappear on its
own? We will answer all these questions now.
What does a lump in the breast feel like?
Different lumps have different textures, and even two lumps of the same
type can feel somewhat different from each other. A cyst, for example,
feels somewhat like a small water balloon in the breast, or it can be
more firm – somewhat like a grape. On the other hand, a lump caused by
breast inflammation (mastitis) may have a more pointed shape and feel
warm to the touch. Other types of lumps can look like dimples in the
skin, and some can even cause the nipple to retract inward. Ultimately,
the person who needs to examine the lump after you find it is your
doctor, who will know how to diagnose it correctly and send you for
tests to help identify it.
woman feeling her chest
Common Signs of Benign Breast Lumps
The breast is composed of fat, blood vessels, fibrous connective
tissues, and glands, and it also has a complex system that produces
milk, including milk lobules and ducts that lead to the nipple. This
anatomy itself is full of lumps in various places, so when looking for a
lump in the breast, the following signs should be considered
Size of the lump
Mobility of the lump
What type of edges the lump has
Whether the lump causes pain
A benign breast lump is usually one where you can clearly feel its edges
and diagnose its shape, and it can also move slightly within the
breast. This is actually the first thing that distinguishes it from a
cancerous tumor, as a cancerous tumor does not have these
characteristics (though a cancerous tumor in its early stages can move
within the breast). The size of the lump can range from the size of a
pea to the size of a golf ball, and it should "roll" between your
fingers and not penetrate deeper into the breast tissues.
Another difference is that a cancerous lump usually does not cause pain,
while a benign lump does, though there are exceptions. For example, a
relatively rare form of breast cancer called "inflammatory breast
cancer" can cause pain, tenderness, and a burning sensation in the
breast. This is because this cancer can spread to the skin and lymph
tissues in the chest, and the pain is felt from these tissues.
The only way to know what type of lump it is through a medical
examination. Depending on your age, medical history, and physical exam
findings, you may be referred for a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy. It
is important to note that not every lump requires advanced tests, at
least not immediately. If you have, for example, a fluid-filled cyst
during your menstrual cycle, your doctor will likely want to re-examine
your breast after the cycle to see if the cyst has disappeared. If it
has, the doctor will know that the lump was benign and related to the
hormonal changes your body experiences during the cycle.
7 Issues that Cause Benign Breast Lumps
Most benign breast lumps are related to the menstrual cycle and hormonal
changes, or fluid accumulation that comes with the cycle. Other benign
lumps are related to blocked milk ducts, infection, or even breast
injury. The likelihood of developing a benign breast lump increases with
hormonal imbalances in your body or if there is a family history of
benign breast lumps or breast cancer. Here are 7 conditions that cause
benign breast lumps that are not cancerous:
1. Fibroadenoma
These lumps usually develop in young women during their teenage years or
twenties and during pregnancy, and they shrink during menopause. Their
size ranges from a few millimeters to several centimeters and they can
be very painful. The lump is usually round and well-defined, and it can
move under the skin. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a
biopsy guided by ultrasound, and if necessary, surgical removal. If the
lump shrinks or does not grow over time, the doctor may decide to just
monitor it without removing it.
2. Cyst
This lump is round or oval and filled with fluid. It is soft to the
touch and will be softer as it gets larger. A cyst may come and go with
the menstrual cycle, usually becoming larger and softer at the beginning
of the cycle and disappearing by the end. An ultrasound is the best way
to determine if the lump is a simple cyst or a more complex one that
requires further testing. If it is a large cyst, it may need to be
drained of fluid, which can be sent to a lab for further testing if the
doctor deems it necessary.
woman with nipple pain
3. Fibrocystic Breast Changes
Breast tissue may change over time, which happens in 30-60% of women,
and at least 50% of women of childbearing age. Some studies even suggest
the prevalence is higher – between 70-90%. The lump is characterized by
a granular or smooth texture that moves freely in the breast, and
additional symptoms may include tenderness, fibrous or rubber-like
tissues, or a round fluid-filled cyst. Fibrocystic changes are related
to hormonal changes, so they increase as menopause approaches but
disappear during it. The doctor may recommend birth control pills to
reduce the symptoms associated with this condition.
4. Nipple Discharge
Nipple discharge can accompany breast lumps, and the discharge itself
can have various colors, including white, dark green, yellow, brown, or
even clear. If the discharge is clear or contains blood, it is usually a
sign that should raise a red flag and requires examination and imaging.
Sudden discharge from one nipple alone is suspicious and requires a
mammogram. If, on the other hand, the discharge comes from several ducts
in the same nipple, it is not a cause for concern, unlike discharge
from just one duct, which requires examination.
5. Mastitis
This inflammation is caused by an infection in the milk ducts, resulting
in a lump in the breast accompanied by redness and warmth, as well as a
high fever. It mainly occurs in breastfeeding women but can happen
independently of breastfeeding and even in women who have passed
menopause. Treatment includes cooling with ice, pain relievers, and
antibiotics since the infection is bacterial.
6. Fat Necrosis
This occurs when breast fat tissue is damaged due to injury or
post-surgery, such as breast reduction surgery. It results in a hard
lump with an undefined shape that is quite sensitive to touch.
Sometimes, such a lump can develop into a fatty cyst, which can be
identified by a mammogram and is harmless.
7. Other Causes
There are various other medical conditions that can cause benign breast
lumps, including
Hyperplasia: An increase in the amount of organic tissue in the
breast due to trauma, chronic inflammation, or hormonal change.
Adenosis: Growth of the milk lobules in the breast.
Intraductal Papilloma: A growth resembling a polyp developing in the
breast ducts.
Lipoma: A benign fatty tumor
How to Know if a Lump Might Be Cancerous
Although most breast lumps are benign, some indeed turn out to be
cancerous. If a cancerous lump is not treated, it continues to grow and
invade the healthy tissues nearby and can eventually reach other parts
of the body. Therefore, it is always advisable to check lumps found in
the breasts with a doctor as soon as they are noticed. Do not be afraid
if the doctor refers you for additional tests, such as mammography, MRI,
or ultrasound – additional tests do not automatically indicate a
cancerous lump, and their purpose is to simply provide more information
to the doctor. Most cancerous lumps begin as single, hard lumps, and
additional signs include:
Changes in the appearance of the nipple
Nipple discharge
Nipple tenderness
Dimpling or bumps on the skin
About half of the lumps appear in the upper
part of the breast and the outer part, spreading toward the armpit.
About 18% of lumps appear in the nipple area, about 11% in the lower
part of the breast, and about 6% in the inner lower part.
What to Do If You Find a Lump
First, don't panic! Most benign lumps can be treated, and some will even
disappear on their own, but it is always recommended to see a doctor to
diagnose the lump. The doctor will decide how to proceed and whether
additional tests or treatments are needed. Since many lumps change due
to hormonal changes, it is advisable to examine the breast at different
times throughout the month, such as before the menstrual cycle, during
it, after it ends, and at the beginning.
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