What To Do If You Find A Lump During a Breast Self-Exam?
Most breast lumps are benign, but don’t ignore it
Most breast lumps are benign, but don’t ignore it
Finding breast cancer early can significantly increase your chances of successful treatment. That is why regular self-exams are a vital part of your health routine.
A breast self-exam is a step-by-step method you can use to examine your breasts. By looking and feeling your breasts on a regular basis, you can better notice any changes or unusual signs.
“This means being aware of how your breasts look and feel. You should be aware of any changes in size, shape or color, and check for lumps, changes in the feel of the skin on the breast or nipple and nipple discharge,” says Mary Wilde, MD, a breast surgeon at Scripps Cancer Care. “It also means seeing a doctor as soon as possible if you notice changes or abnormalities.”
How to perform a breast self-exam
Performing a breast self-exam involves two main steps: visual inspection and manual examination. Both steps are equally important in detecting any changes or abnormalities.
A visual inspection involves looking at your breasts in the mirror to check for any visible changes. Check your breasts by looking at them with your arms at your sides. Then, raise your arms and look again. Watch for changes in shape, the nipples, or any swelling or dimpling of the skin. Flex your chest and look again for dimpling, puckering or changes, especially on one side.
A manual examination involves using your fingers to feel your breasts and underarm area for any lumps or thickening. Doing a breast self-exam while taking a shower can be helpful and effective. Many women find that water helps them check their skin better. Use your fingertips to feel the whole breast and armpit area. Look for any lumps, thick spots or hard knots.
What if you find a lump in your breast?
Finding a lump during a breast self-exam can be alarming. However, not all lumps mean breast cancer. Many lumps are benign, which means they are non-cancerous. But you should not ignore them. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. They can take the necessary steps to diagnose or rule out breast cancer.
“If you discover a lump, your first thought might be that you have breast cancer but there is no need to panic,” Dr. Wilde says. “Before you allow anxiety and worry to consume you, remember that many women’s breasts feel lumpy and most breast lumps are not cancerous. In fact, only one of out of every five lumps is cancerous.”
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Remember, finding a lump is not a definitive sign of cancer. You could have a cyst or tumor that is not cancerous. Your doctor can give you a detailed check-up for any lump or other symptoms you may have noticed. They can also order further tests to confirm whether a lump is a sign of cancer or not.
“There are many benign lumps that we see in breasts,” Dr. Wilde continues. “For example, noncancerous lumps sometimes appear when you’re menstruating and go away when your cycle ends.”
Certain changes or lumps are more concerning than others. Be on the lookout for these warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer:
- Bloody or clear nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple
- Breast dimpling or puckering
- Swollen, red or warm breasts
- Changes in size or shape
- A hard knot or thickening in the underarm area or inside the breast
- A scaly, itchy rash or sore on the nipple
- Inversion (pulling inward) of the nipple or breast
- Pain in one spot that doesn’t go away in two to three weeks
Diagnosing or ruling out cancer
Your doctor may take these steps to look for breast cancer:
Clinical breast exam
Your doctor visually examines your breasts for changes. They also feel for lumps or thickening in the breasts and underarm area. They may ask about your personal and family history of breast cancer. This information helps them assess your risk and decide on the next steps.
Screening mammograms
Mammograms are low-dose x-rays of the breast. They can often find changes in the breast before symptoms show up.
However, mammograms are not perfect. They can miss some breast cancers. If a screening mammogram finds something, you will need more tests.
Diagnostic mammogram
If a screening mammogram or physical exam finds something unusual, the next step is usually a diagnostic mammogram. This specialized mammogram provides views of the problem area from several angles and at a higher magnification than standard screenings. This helps to locate the lump and measure its size.
3D mammogram
A 3D mammography creates a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue. This lets the radiologist view the tissue one layer at a time. It is especially helpful examining dense breast tissue.
Breast MRI
Breast MRI is often used for women who have breast cancer. it helps determine how far the cancer has spread. For certain women at high risk, a breast MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of your breast. These images show whether a breast lump is solid or fluid-filled. Solid masses are more likely to be cancerous.
Breast biopsy
Your doctor may remove a tissue sample of the lump to examine it under a microscope and check for cancerous cells. Only 20 percent of biopsied breast tissue turns out to be cancer.
Follow-up care
If test results indicate that your lump isn’t cancerous, your doctor may recommend having another clinical breast exam or diagnostic mammogram in a few months to check for any changes. You might still need surgery to remove a benign, noncancerous lump.
“Should the lump turn out to be cancerous, you and your doctor can work together to develop a treatment plan,” Dr. Wilde says. Treatment options vary depending on the stage and type of breast cancer.
Other preventive steps
Current guidelines say that women at average risk for breast cancer should start mammograms at age 40. Women at high risk should talk to their doctor and get screened earlier.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor. Ask about genetic tests for breast cancer risk. This test looks for changes in genes that can raise the risk of cancer in both women and men.
Scripps Cancer Center
Scripps Cancer Center provides comprehensive cancer care with a team-based approach. Scripps combines medical expertise with the latest technology and research to detect, diagnose and treat almost every type of adult cancer.