Breast lump

What is a Breast Lump?

A breast lump is a swelling, protuberance, or lump in the breast. Many women have at least one breast lump in their lifetime. Most are caused by harmless changes in the breast. Though far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast lumps. Sometimes a lump is cancerous, in this case, finding and treating it early gives you the best chance for a healthy future.

When should you call your doctor?

• You find a new breast lump during your monthly self-exam.
• You have bruising on your breast but did not experience any injury.
• You have nipple discharge, especially if bloody or pinkish (blood tinged).
• The skin on your breast appears dimpled or wrinkled (like the peel of an orange).
• Your nipple is inverted (turned inward) but normally is not inverted.

Why Me?

Because the breasts contain fatty tissue, their size changes when you gain or lose weight. Most breast lumps result from puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. In approximately 80% of cases, breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous).

Risk Factors Include:

• Sex: Female, although men can also get breast cancer
• Age: 50 or older
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Family members with breast cancer
• Changes in breast tissue
• Changes in certain genes
• Race: Caucasian
• Increased exposure to estrogen over a lifetime through:
• Early onset of menstruation
• Late onset of menopause
• No childbearing or late childbearing
• Absence of breastfeeding
• Taking hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time
• Tobacco use
• Increased breast density (more lobular and ductal tissue and less fatty tissue)
• Radiation therapy before the age of 30 years old
• Overuse of alcohol

Note: Studies show that most women with known risk factors do not get breast cancer. And many women who get breast cancer have none of the risk factors listed above, other than the risk that comes with growing older.

How are Breast Lumps Treated?

Your doctor will want to know the following during your initial history and physical exam:

• How long have you had the lump?
• Does the lump change in size with your menstrual cycle?
• How long has it been since your last menstrual period?
• Have you recently been pregnant or are you breast-feeding?
• Have you experienced discharge from the nipple?
• Do you use hormone replacement therapy?
• Have you experienced any recent trauma to the breast?
• Have you had any previous breast biopsies? If yes, what were the diagnoses?
• Do you have a history of cancer?
• Do you have a history of other medical conditions?
• Have you had a mammogram or other breast imaging test before?

Common tests include:

• Mammogram
• Ultrasound to see if the lump is solid or fluid filled.
• Study of nipple discharge under the microscope.
• Needle aspiration of a cyst with examination of the fluid under a microscope.
• Biopsy of the lump.

For an appointment call 406-728-0285 or send an email .