What Are Lumps in the Breast?
You notice that something is different with your breast, and you find a lump. Now what?
A breast lump is any kind of growth, mass, or swelling in your breast or near your armpit. People may worry when they find breast lumps because they can be a sign of breast cancer.
But don’t panic: Most breast lumps are benign, which means they're not cancerous. Instead, they are caused by normal changes in breast tissue, cysts or adenomas, injury, or rarely, infections. Benign breast lumps usually have smooth edges and can be moved slightly when you push against them. They are often found in both breasts.
A breast lump can be:
- Hard or soft
- Bumpy or smooth
- Movable or stationary
- Round or irregularly shaped
- Big or small
- Painful
- Tender
Sometimes, you’ll notice changes in your nipple as well. Your nipple might turn inward or leak clear or bloody fluid.
If you notice any changes in your breast, it’s important to call your doctor right away. They can help you figure out what is causing the lump and how to treat it.
Common Causes of Breast Lumps
Fibroadenomas. These are the most common benign lumps. If you push on them, they are solid, round, rubbery lumps that move freely. They’re usually painless. Women and those assigned female at birth between 20 and 30 get them most often. They’re also more common in African-American women. Fibroadenomas can be surgically removed.
Fibrocystic changes. Changes in hormones during your menstrual cycles can create changes in your breasts. These are known as fibrocystic breast changes. You could get lumps in both breasts that increase in size and tenderness just before your period. You might have nipple discharge as well.
The lumps are milk ducts and tissues around them that have grown and widened to form cysts. These enlarge quickly in response to hormones released near your period. The lumps may be hard or rubbery and could feel like a single (large or small) lump. Fibrocystic changes can also cause breast tissue to thicken.
These changes are often most noticeable during your 40s. They’re the most common cause of benign breast lumps in women ages 35 to 50. Postmenopausal people are less likely to have these types of breast changes. That’s because they don’t have monthly changes in hormones.
They don’t require treatment, but your doctor may recommend ways to ease monthly tenderness.
Simple cysts. Simple cysts are fluid-filled sacs that usually affect both breasts. You could have one or many. They can vary in size. Their tenderness and size often change with your menstrual cycle.
Simple cysts can be treated with fine needle aspiration. This isn’t surgery. Your doctor will place a needle into the area around the lump. If the lump is a cyst, they can suck out the fluid and the cyst will collapse. Cysts can also go away on their own, so your doctor may choose to wait and see if it goes away.
Intraductal papillomas. These are small, wart-like growths in the lining of the mammary duct near the nipple. They usually affect women who are 30 to 50. They can cause bleeding from the nipple. Your doctor can remove them with surgery.
Traumatic fat necrosis. This happens when there is an injury to the breast, though you may not remember an injury happening. It causes fat to form in lumps that are generally round, firm, hard, and painless. You usually get one at a time.
It can be hard to tell if a lump from traumatic fat necrosis is that or something else until your doctor does a biopsy. These usually don’t need to be treated. But if the lump bothers you, your doctor can remove it.
How Often Are Lumps in Breast Cancerous?
Everyone’s breasts are different. Some are naturally lumpy or bumpy. You might be able to feel different textures from the fat, glands, and connective tissue in your breasts. Breast tissue changes throughout your life and is even sensitive to changing hormone levels during your menstrual cycle. In general, both breasts should feel the same. It’s important to be familiar with how your breasts feel so that you can notice changes. If you do find a lump or other change, talk to your doctor.
For 1 in 5 people, breast lumps are cancer. Still, remember that it's more common for them to caused by other things, like:
Cysts. These are small, fluid-filled pockets. You’re more likely to get one if you haven’t gone through menopause.
Fibrocystic changes. You might get fluid-filled cysts or areas of rubbery (fibrous) tissue.
Fibroadenomas. These are a common type of noncancerous breast lump. They’re most likely to form in women and people assigned female at birth during their 20s and 30s.
Calcifications. These hard lumps are caused by a buildup of calcium. They might form after a breast reduction or tissue flap procedure.
Lipomas. These fatty lumps grow slowly beneath the surface of the skin.
Intraductal papillomas. These are wart-like growths that develop in the milk ducts. They usually form near the nipple and can cause the nipple to leak clear or bloody fluid. They’re more common in women and people assigned female at birth over 40 years old.
Infections. Breast infections can cause a hard lump. If the lump is filled with pus, it’s called an abscess.
Injuries. Sometimes lumps form in fatty breast tissues after injuries, including surgeries or biopsies.
Menstrual changes. Some lumps come and go during a young person's menstrual cycle. These lumps might be tender, swollen, or painful right before your period.
Breastfeeding problems. If you notice a lump while breastfeeding, it could be a sign of engorgement or a clogged milk duct. If it doesn’t get better in a few days, call your doctor.
No matter what your lump looks or feels like, it’s important to talk with your doctor. They can identify the cause of the lump and how to treat it.
What do breast cancer lumps feel like?
Everyone is different, but lumps caused by breast cancer are often:
- Hard. It might have clearly defined edges, like a pebble. At first, you might be able to move it, but over time, it becomes less moveable.
- Textured. Breast cancer lumps might be dimpled, puckered (like the peel of an orange), or bulging. If you raise your arms and can still see it, that might be a sign of a problem.
- Painful. You might have pain in a particular spot.
- Accompanied by nipple changes. Your nipple might become inverted, or it could get eroded and scaly. Sometimes, it might leak bloody fluid.
Types of breast cancer lumps
There’s more than one type of breast cancer lump. Some include:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ. This cancer is located in your milk ducts and hasn’t spread yet.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma. This is the most common type of invasive breast cancer. It starts in your milk ducts and has spread. It can cause a hard, irregularly-shaped lump.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma. This type of breast cancer starts in your breast lobe and has spread. Lumps can be firm or hard.
- Tubular carcinoma. This breast cancer causes tumors that are so small that you can’t feel them.
- Mucinous (colloid) carcinoma. This cancer causes soft or unnoticeable tumors.
- Carcinomas with medullary features. These can cause soft lumps.
- Invasive papillary carcinoma. This breast cancer causes a soft tumor.
- Phyllodes tumors. These affect your breast’s connective tissue.
- Inflammatory breast cancer. This aggressive cancer causes redness and swelling in your breasts.
Can Men Get Breast Lumps?
Yes. People of any age or gender can get breast lumps, cysts, and tumors. In men and people assigned male at birth, breast cancer lumps are usually hard and located below the nipple.
Breast cancer isn’t just a problem for cisgender women. Less than 1 in 100 people who get breast cancer are men or people assigned male at birth. But just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. Men and people assigned male at birth may be less likely to recognize the signs of breast cancer, leading to delayed diagnosis and a higher death rate.
Transgender men and transgender women also get breast cancer -- not as often as cisgender women, but much more often than cisgender men. These differences don’t have to do with the trans identity itself, but gender-affirming treatments. For example, transgender women who receive hormone therapy are 46 times more likely to get breast cancer than cisgender men, largely because estrogen raises breast cancer risk.
Likewise, top surgery lowers your risk for breast cancer by removing extra breast tissue. However, it doesn’t make you immune to breast cancer. That’s because top surgery leaves some breast tissue behind. The remaining tissue can still get cancer.
Some men and people assigned male at birth develop a condition called gynecomastia. This can cause breasts to be tender and may lead to a rubbery lump below the nipple. Sometimes this is in one breast, but it often happens in both. This lump isn’t cancerous. Gynecomastia can sometimes be caused by hormonal imbalances or side effects of medication.
Does a Breast Lump Mean Infection?
It can. Breast infections are most common in breastfeeding moms, but they also can happen in people who aren’t breastfeeding. It happens when bacteria get into the milk ducts through your nipple, or when a clogged milk duct causes milk to stagnate, making a good environment for bacteria to breed in.
Breast infections can cause red, painful lumps to form in less than a week. If left untreated, the lump can fill with pus. This is called an abscess.
Mastitis
Inflammation from a breast infection is called mastitis. You’ll feel tender, red, warm lumps in your breast. Your breast might be painful or swollen. You also might get fever, chills, or other flu-like symptoms.
For relief, use ice packs and wear a supportive bra. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t stop: Continuing to breastfeed can actually help safely flush out the infection. Feed your baby regularly to prevent milk from building up in your breast.
Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. If you have an abscess, you’ll need surgery to get it drained.
What Should I Do if I Find a Lump in My Breast?
See your doctor if you discover any new breast changes, such as:
- An area that’s clearly different from any other area on either breast
- A lump or thickened area in or near the breast or underarm that lasts through your menstrual cycle
- A change in breast size, shape, or contour
- A mass or lump. It could be as small as a pea or feel like a marble under your skin.
- A change in how the skin on your breast or nipple looks or feels. It could be dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed.
- Clear or bloody fluid coming out of the nipple
- Red skin on your breast or nipple
What Will Happen at My Appointment?
The doctor will ask questions about your health history. They’ll perform a breast exam to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast tissue and under your arms.
If there’s fluid coming out of your nipple, the doctor may order blood tests to check hormone levels and collect a sample to check for abnormal cells.
They may also do a mammogram or ultrasound to see if the lump is solid or filled with fluid.
Your doctor may order a test called a biopsy. They’ll take a tiny sample of the lump with a needle or small cut and send it to a lab.
How Do I Monitor My Breasts Health?
Self-examination and mammograms are the most common ways to monitor your breast health. Do these checks regularly: the earlier you catch breast cancer, the easier it is to treat.
Breast self-exam
It’s important to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel. Breast self-exams can help you notice changes early so you can get them checked out.
Starting at age 18, you should do a self-exam once a month. If you have regular periods, do it after your period ends. If not, pick one day a month. Mark the date on your calendar so you don’t forget. You can take notes in a journal or app to remember what you find and get a better idea of what your breasts normally feel like.
The whole thing should only take a few minutes. You can do it in the shower, while you get dressed, or while lying in bed. Lying down allows your breasts to spread more evenly, making it a good choice for people with large breasts.
There are a few different ways you can do a self-exam:
- While looking in a mirror (without touching). Get undressed and relax your arms by your sides. Look for any changes in breast shape, size, or texture, or the position of your nipples. Repeat this search with your arms raised overhead, then with your hands on your hips.
- While standing (with touching). Take off your clothes. With your right hand, use the pads of your middle three fingers to press every part of your left breast. Moving in a circle can help you make sure you check your whole breast. Don’t forget the areas under your armpit and around your nipple. First press lightly, then increase the pressure so you press firmly against every spot. Feel for lumps, bumps, dimples, and other unusual changes. When you’re done, squeeze the nipple to see if it leaks any fluid (discharge). Then, repeat with your left hand on the right breast.
- While lying down (with touching). Get undressed and lie on your back. Put a pillow under your left shoulder and rest that arm behind your head. Use your right hand to feel your left breast, armpit, and nipple using the same directions described above. Then, move the pillow under your right shoulder and repeat, using the left hand to check the right breast.
Mammogram
Although self-exams are helpful, regular mammograms are the best way to catch breast cancer early. Mammograms are a type of low-dose chest X-ray. They’re able to find most breast cancers, sometimes years before you feel a lump.
When you get a mammogram, you go into a private room with a technologist who operates the mammogram machine. You take your shirt and bra off and stand in front of the mammogram machine. A mammogram machine has two plates: a top plate and a bottom plate. The technologist will gently place your breast on the bottom plate. Then, the top plate will lower, flattening your breast. This is important for getting a clear picture. About 15 seconds later, the top plate will rise. Next, the technologist will help you adjust your position so that the plates can flatten your breast from side to side. The technologist will take another X-ray while your breast is flattened this way. When this is done, you’ll repeat the process for the other breast.
The American Cancer Society recommends cisgender women at average risk for breast cancer to start getting yearly mammograms around ages 40 to 44. When you turn 55, you can switch to getting a mammogram every other year if you’d like.
If you have a high risk for breast cancer (such as if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes), get a mammogram and breast MRI every year, starting at age 30.
Yearly mammograms are also a good idea for many trans and nonbinary people, especially those who haven’t had a complete top surgery or take gender-affirming hormonal medications.
Talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors for breast cancer. They can help you decide when to start screening and how often to repeat it.
Takeaways
Most breast lumps aren’t caused by breast cancer. But if you find an unusual lump, bump, or other change in your breast, talk to your doctor. Early detection and treatment for breast cancer can be lifesaving.
Lump in Breast FAQs
What kind of lumps are normal in breasts?
Everyone’s breasts are different. Some people have breasts that are naturally lumpy. Pay attention to how your breasts look and feel. If you notice a new lump or other change, talk to your doctor.
What is the cause of a breast lump?
Breast lumps can be caused by many different things. About 1 in 5 breast lumps are cancerous. The rest are caused by cysts, calcifications, hormonal changes, and other issues.
Can a bra cause a lump?
If you’re breastfeeding, wearing a tight bra can cut off milk flow. If bacteria start to grow in the trapped milk, you might get a breast lump from the infection.
Can a doctor tell if a breast lump is cancerous by looking at it?
To figure out what is causing a breast lump, your doctor may look at the lump and see how it feels. They may also order a mammogram or other imaging test.
When should I worry about lumps in the breast?
If you have a lump that feels different from the rest of your breast, it’s worth talking to your doctor. Most lumps aren’t cancerous, but if they are, it’s important to catch them early.
How can I avoid breast lumps?
You can lower your breast cancer risk by avoiding alcohol, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and limiting hormonal medications after menopause.
