Breast Cancer
Breast Lumps
Do not panic if you discover a breast lump, particularly if you are young (less than 40 years old) and you do not have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. A breast lump is more likely to be benign (non-cancerous) than malignant (cancer). Only 10% of breast lumps seen by doctors in breast clinics are cancers. However, if you find a breast lump do not delay in consulting your doctor!
What Causes Breast Lumps?
Common causes of lumps in the breast are shown in Table 4. See Chapter 2 for more details.
| Simple cysts (benign) | Fibrocystic disease (benign) | Fibroadenoma | Breast cancer (malignant) |
| Fluid-filled bag Drained with needle |
Small cysts + hard lumps Variation of normal breast Caused by female hormonal activity Common in 30–40 years |
Hard, smooth lump Very mobile Common in 20–30 years Common in Afro-Caribbean women |
Hard, irregular May be fixed to chest With or without puckered skin With or without nipple drawn in With or without discharge |
- The Normal Breast
- What is Breast Cancer?
- What are the different Types of Breast Cancer?
- Am I at Risk of Getting Breast Cancer?
- What Does 'Increased Risk' Mean to Me?
- How Can I Reduce the Risk?
- Breast Screening
- Breast Lumps
- What Happens at the Breast Clinic?
- Emotional Reaction to a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
- What are the Treatment Options for Breast Cancer?
- Radiotherapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Chemotherapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Hormone Therapy - What is it and How it is Used
- Reconstruction
- Treatment of Non-invasive Breast Cancer
- The Follow-up Clinic