Breast Lumps: What's Normal and When to Get Checked

What does a breast lump feel like?

Breast lumps can feel hard or soft, smooth or uneven, and some move under your fingers while others stay fixed. You cannot tell from how a lump feels whether it is cancer, so any new lump should be checked by a GP. Many people have naturally lumpy breast tissue, especially before a period, which is why it helps to know what is normal for you.

Are most breast lumps cancer?

No. The NHS says most breast lumps are harmless, but some can be serious, so always get a new lump checked. Common harmless causes include a fibroadenoma, which is a non-cancerous growth of breast tissue, and a breast cyst, which is a build-up of fluid. An infection called mastitis, often linked to breastfeeding, can cause a painful, swollen area. Do not try to work out the cause yourself.

Where are breast lumps usually found?

A lump can appear anywhere in the breast or chest, around or behind the nipple, up towards the collarbone or in the armpit, because breast tissue extends into the armpit. When you check your breasts or chest, include this whole area. A lump or swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone should also be checked.

Can breast lumps come and go?

Breast tissue changes during the menstrual cycle, and many people notice tenderness or lumpiness before a period that settles afterwards. A lump that is still there after your period, is getting bigger, or is new and unusual for you should be checked by a GP. Do not wait to see whether it goes away.

Is a painful breast lump less likely to be cancer?

Pain does not tell you whether a lump is harmless. The NHS says breast pain on its own is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer and is usually linked to periods, but a lump should be checked whether or not it hurts.

• Ask for an urgent GP appointment, or use NHS 111, if you have a hard lump that does not move.
• Get urgent advice if part of your breast is red, hot or swollen, or you have breast pain with a very high temperature or feel shivery.
• Also get urgent advice for nipple discharge that may be streaked with blood, dimpled skin, a change in breast shape, or a rash on the nipple or a nipple that has sunk in.

What happens when you see a GP about a breast lump?

The GP will ask about the lump and look at and examine your breasts. If they are not sure what is causing it, they will refer you to a hospital or breast clinic. At the clinic you may have a breast examination, a mammogram or ultrasound scan, and a biopsy, where a needle removes a few cells from the lump. These tests are often done during the same visit. You will usually get scan results the same day, but biopsy results can take about a week. These tests usually show that a lump is not cancer.

In England, if your GP suspects cancer and refers you urgently, the NHS aims to diagnose or rule out cancer within 28 days of the referral.

How are breast lumps treated?

Treatment depends on the cause. Most harmless lumps need no treatment and may go away on their own. The breast clinic will explain whether you need any follow-up. If a lump is breast cancer, your breast care team will talk you through your options. Do not rely on home remedies or wait for a lump to shrink before getting it checked.

Can men get breast lumps?

Yes. Men and boys can notice a lump or swelling behind the nipple. It is often caused by harmless swelling of breast tissue, called gynaecomastia, but men can also get breast cancer. A new lump in the chest should be checked by a GP.

Breast lumps if you live outside the UK

Wherever you live, the advice is the same: contact your family doctor or local health service about any new breast lump. In many low-income communities women cannot easily reach a breast examination, so lumps are often found late. That is the gap Breast Cancer Charity's screening campaign works to close.