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So, you have a lump?


Just because you or your doctor found a lump does not necessarily mean it is cancer. As a natural reaction you are probably thinking the worse. Nothing can be more frightening for a woman. There is good news, studies indicate that 80% of all women who discover lumps in their breasts turn out to be benign. Benign means that it is not cancer and does not spread. Whew. I bet a lot of you are feeling a little better about now.

What do you do if you find a lump?

If you have found the lump yourself, the first thing that you need to do is to try to evaluate the lump.

  • First, as you feel the lump, think very carefully about how the lump feels and where it is located in your breast.

  • Check the opposite breast in the same area for a similar occurrence.

  • If the opposite breast has a similar feeling, these are probably normal hormonal changes. It is usually safe to wait through your next menstrual period if there are similar changes in both breasts.

  • If the area you found becomes smaller or softer after a menstrual cycle, it is probably a normal hormonal change. Continue to monitor the area.

  • If the area becomes harder or increases in size, a physician should examine the area.

  • If the suspicious area is a distinct hard lump with no other similar finding, contact your physician.

    What if you don't have a lump but notice changes in your breast?

    Not always will you find a lump in your breast to tell you that something might be wrong. Sometimes you will notice other things and not a lump. These other signs could also indicate a problem. Remember, not all lumps can be felt and/or detected. Go back to the article "Screening for Breast Cancer." During a breast exam, not only do you feel for lumps, but you also are to exam the physical appearance of your breast. The following are changes that, if you notice, you should contact your physician.

    Nipple Discharge - a bloody discharge or a discharge of any color from one breast; a persistent discharge from both breasts that does not occur right before a menstrual period or following sexual stimulation of the breasts.

    Inverted Nipple - a nipple that inverts in a previously normal breast. (remember, this is typically if your nipple has never been like this).

    Areola (colored circle around the nipple) changes - the pulling out or pulling in of the circle.

    The copyright of the article So, you have a lump? in Breast Cancer is owned by Bobbi Jones. Permission to republish So, you have a lump? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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