What should lumps feel like in breasts

Breast lumps are frightening, but fairly common. And while you already know that a lump could potentially signal breast cancer, you've probably also heard that most lumps are noncancerous, or benign. But, any lump could potentially be breast cancer, and it's impossible for a woman to determine whether her lump is cancerous or benign just by feeling it. That being said, Dr. Joshi says that there are some features that make a lump particularly concerning, including:. Joshi says your first action after feeling a breast lump should be to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.

Your doctor will look for a variety of features and characteristics in order to answer questions such as:. A woman's risk for breast cancer is highest after the age of 50, but even young women can develop breast cancer. Since any lump could potentially be cancerous, it's critical that you have any lump you may have felt evaluated by a doctor — no matter your age. In addition, Dr. Joshi says you shouldn't avoid having a lump checked just because you're worried about having a painful biopsy.

Lastly, if you're nervous about going to your doctor's office to have a lump checked during COVID, don't be. Houston Methodist doctor offices and imaging centers have enhanced safety measures in place and are taking extra precautions to keep you safe during your appointment or mammogram, including:.

The location does not determine whether or not it is a breast cancer. However, sometimes a breast lump will be fixed, or stuck, to the chest wall.

In general, regardless of how you are positioned, when you feel an abnormality in the breast — if it feels different or new — you should reach out to the medical team for an evaluation. You should have a familiarity with your body and what the breast normally feels like, including its normal shape, appearance, and texture.

Generally, women are advised to analyze their breasts in the shower with soapy fingers to get a nice feel of the normal tissues. If you do that and have some familiarity with your normal breast tissue, and then find something different, you should reach out to your medical team. Hard lumps in the breast can be either benign or malignant. The feel of the lump itself is rarely enough to determine if the lump is a cancerous one or not.

Cysts , which are fluid-filled lumps, are common in the breast and are benign. They form when fluid builds up inside breast glands, and tend to be smooth or round. Fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors made up of glandular and connective breast tissue, are usually smooth and firm or rubbery to the touch. Both of these conditions tend to affect younger women; fibroadenomas are most common in women in their 20s and 30s, and cysts are most common in women under Smith Center.

Simple imaging techniques, such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound, can usually provide reassurance that the breast lump is benign.

If necessary, a breast MRI or biopsy can be used to evaluate whether the lump is cancerous. Self-exams done lying down let gravity help to spread the tissue out.

You may feel a lump even when imaging was normal. Consider getting a second opinion or following up with your provider if you feel a rigid bump. While lying flat, stretch your arm up over your head. Use middle portion of your fingers, brought together. When you squish the tissue between your fingers and chest wall, you are more likely to pass over normal bumps, yet still feel unusual bumps.

All women are different; some have recurring cysts, and know what they feel like. When you feel something strange: act. Some half-inch tumors are more aggressive those that are four times as big.