When To Worry About Breast Lumps

Key Takeaways:

• Not all breast lumps are cancerous, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are non-cancerous.
• Cancerous lumps are hard, and firm, grow over time, lead to changes in the skin, etc.
• Diagnosis of breast lumps can be done through mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, etc. 
• Early action is key – the WHO suggests that the best survival rates are achieved when a cancerous lump is detected and treated in the early stages. 

Finding a lump in the breast might be concerning, the first instinct that comes in most of our minds is breast cancer. However, it is important to understand that most breast lumps are non-cancerous. A breast lump can be made of various things, including fluid-filled sacs, glandular tissue lumps, cancerous cells, fatty tissues, and more. These lumps can be hard, soft, smooth, or round and can appear either in the breast tissues or around the armpit area. 

Common Causes of Breast Lumps (Benign & Malignant)

There are various causes that lead to breast lumps, some of the common factors that lead to benign breast lumps include:

• Fibrocystic Changes: Fibrocystic changes are common hormonal fluctuations that can lead to changes in breast tissues resulting in breast lumps (symptoms, causes, treatment & how to identify it).
• Fibroadenoma (symptoms, causes & treatment): Fibroadenoma is common in females aged between 15-35 years. It is characterised as an overgrowth of breast tissues that are smooth and mobile.
• Breast Cysts: Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs common in women aged over 35, often smooth and round, and can feel like a lump. 
• Fat Necrosis: Fat necrosis is another common cause of breast lump resulting from damaged or dead fatty tissue. It usually occurs after trauma or surgery. 
• Mastitis (what is mastitis and how to overcome it): Breast lumps resulting from infection of breast tissues. Mastitis can cause a red, painful, warm lump. 

Malignant breast lumps are less common, according to research 8 out of 10 breast lumps are non-cancerous. Plus, symptoms of cancerous breast lumps might vary for everyone. Some of the common causes leading to malignant breast lumps include:

• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): IDC is the most common type of breast cancer that causes hard, irregular lumps. It can also cause skiing changes and nipple retraction.
• Paget’s Disease: It affects the nipple and areola leading to crusting of the nipple and causing lumps in the breast tissues. 
• Phyllodes Tumors (phyllodes surgery with robot assisted technology): These are tumours that can be benign or malignant and are usually painless. Phyllodes tumours can result in large breast lumps. 
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that causes changes in breast skin. 

Signs That Your Breast Lump Needs Medical Attention 

Breast lumps can be quite alarming. While it’s true that most of them are non-cancerous, there are specific characteristics that could indicate a more serious issue. Here are some signs to look out for:

• Hard or Firm Lump: The lumps feel solid and don’t move under the skin. When touched these lumps often have irregular or uneven edges. 
• A lump that Grows Overtime: A lump in the breast that grows in size over time, i.e. grows bigger over weeks or months. 
• Nipple Changes: Changes in the nipple including retraction, pulling inward of the nipple, unusual discharge, rashes, and more are red flags and are often associated with breast cancer. 
• Lump in the Armpit: A lump in the armpit may also be a sign of breast cancer. The lump may feel painless and feel like small beans under the skin. 
• Persistent Pain in One Spot: Another sign related to breast lump that requires medical attention is persistent pain associated with a lump.

Also Read: Challenges of Young Women with Breast Cancer

When to See a Doctor?

Ideally, it is recommended to see a doctor for evaluation in case a new lump develops or if there are any breast changes. Here’s when to see a doctor:

• A New Lump: If there’s a new lump that feels different from other breast tissues, especially if it doesn’t go away after the menstrual cycle, it requires an evaluation with a doctor. 
• A lump that Persists for More than 2-3 Weeks: Some benign lumps come and go with hormonal changes, but if the lumps stay and increase in size, they require medical attention. 
• The Lump is Hard & Immobile: If the lumps have uneven edges and don’t move easily under the skin it requires a consultation with a specialist. 

Also Read: Ovulation – Symptoms, Calendar & Tips

Other symptoms which may necessitate seeing a doctor include: 

• Skin changes – dimpling, thickning, and redness.
• Unusual nipple discharge like bloody or clear discharge.
• Changes in nipple like nipple retraction or crusting.
• Pain that is confined to one spot.
• Swelling in the armpit.
• If there’s a history of breast cancer. 

Also Read: Breast Lump- Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & How to Identify it

Diagnostic Methods for Breast Lumps

Diagnosis of breast lumps involves a multi-faceted approach, starting with clinical examination, medical history, and imaging tests. Physical examination involves assessing the size, shape and other characteristics of the lump by a specialist. The diagnosis procedure involves imaging tests including:

• Mammography: mammography is a type of x-ray used to detect breast lump, its size, location, and shape. Mammography can also help differentiate between different types of lumps. The imaging test can also detect lumps before they even can be felt. 
• Breast Ultrasound: Breast ultrasound is used to get more detailed information on the characteristics of breast lump. Primarily the imaging tests help differentiate between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses. 
• Fine Needle Aspiration: The test involves withdrawing fluid (aspirate) by inserting a needle in the breast lump. If the extracted fluid is not bloody and has a straw-coloured appearance, and it disappears there is no need for further testing, though if the fluid appears bloody & the lump doesn’t disappear, further testing or biopsy might be recommended. 
• Biopsy: If the above imaging test shows a suspicious result, the specialist might recommend a biopsy. The test involves taking a small tissue sample for analysis to determine if it is cancerous or noncancerous. 

Also Read: Breastfeeding: Advice, Nutrition & Tips

What to Expect After Finding a Breast Lump?

It is normal to worry after finding a breast lump, though it is important to consult a healthcare professional immediately. The following steps can be followed post-finding a breast lump:

• Schedule a consultation with a breast specialist or gynaecologist.
• Keep self-examining the size of breast lump – size, texture & mobility.
• Get all the recommended imaging tests done advised by the specialist. 
• Understand the results, benign lumps may require no additional tests, just require regular monitoring, while suspicious lumps may require further testing, including biopsy & treatment planning with an oncologist. 
• Follow-up is the key – even if the lump is benign. It is advised to monitor changes over time. 

Also Read: How Can One Detect Breast Cancer At The Early Stages?

Preventive Measures and Breast Health Tips

Preventive Measures	Description
Maintain a healthy weight (weight management tips)	Obesity (effects of obesity on health) is known to increase the risk of breast cancer, thus maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.
Limit alcohol intake	Consuming excessive alcohol can raise oestrogen levels which can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Do regular breast self-exams	Check for new growths, lumps, discharge, etc. especially a few days after the period ends.
Schedule routine screening	Schedule regular breast exams every 1 to 3 years, additionally go for mammograms.
Avoid Smoking	Refrain from smoking and secondhand smoke as it is linked to several types of cancers, including breast cancer.

 

Breast lumps are definitely a cause of concern, but it is important to understand that reacting early is the key, whether the lump is benign or malignant. If you’re noticing a lump that is hard, immobile, and growing quickly and is also accompanied by symptoms like nipple changes, or unusual discharge, it is best to schedule a consultation with a breast specialist. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer if caught early in stage one, has a survival rate of 90%, while in delayed stages the treatment becomes more intensive and treatment is not that favourable. Thus, early evaluation not only offers peace of mind but also ensures timely treatment if needed.

Read More: PCOD – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

FAQs

Can breast lumps come and go with the menstrual cycle?

Yes, breast lumps can fluctuate during the menstrual cycle.

Can hormonal changes cause breast lumps?

Yes, hormonal changes significantly contribute to breast lumps.