What are breast lumps?

A breast lump is a localized swelling, protuberance, bulge, or bump in the breast that feels different from the breast tissue around it or the breast tissue in the same area of the other breast.

There are different reasons why breast lumps develop. Most lumps are not cancerous and do not pose any risk.

Causes include infection, trauma, fibroadenoma, cyst, fat necrosis, or fibrocystic breasts. Breast lumps may develop in both males and females, but they are much more common in females.

A person who detects a breast lump should have it evaluated as soon as possible.

The female breast consists of different types of tissue. The two main types are milk glands, where milk is made, and milk ducts, or tubes, for milk to pass through to reach the nipple.

Breast tissue composition can vary, depending on the function. For example, when a woman is breastfeeding, her breasts will change. They will feel and look different.

The breast also contains fibrous connective tissue, fatty tissue, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes.

Each part of the breast can react in different ways to changes in body chemistry. These changes impact the sensations and texture of the breast, and they can affect the development of breast lumps.

Possible causes of breast lumps include:

an abscess or infectionadenoma or fibroadenomacystsfat necrosislipomabreast cancer

Some breast lumps feel as though they have a distinct border, while others may feel like a general area of thickened tissue.

Checking for lumps

It is important for women to be familiar with their bodies and their breasts. Knowing how the breasts normally feel can help to recognize any problematic changes or lumps.

The following guidelines will help women carry out a self examination.

Looking in a mirror, check the size, shape, and color and look for visible swellings or lumpsRaise the arms and repeat step 1.Check for any discharge from the nipples that may be watery, milky, yellow, or with blood.Feel the breasts with a firm, smooth motion while lying down, including under the arms and down to the ribcage.Repeat step 4 while standing or sitting, It may be easier in the shower.

Even though most breast lumps are benign, anything unusual should be checked by a doctor.

Treatment

While it is worth seeing a doctor about any breast lump that causes concern, treatment is not often needed, depending on the cause of the lump.

The doctor will carry out a physical examination and they may recommend a mammogram or ultrasound scan to check what kind of lump is present.

If there is a cyst or a fibrous lump, they may recommend monitoring the lump but not taking any further action.

If there is an abscess, the doctor may lance and drain it with a fine needle, and prescribe antibiotics.