Feeling a lump in your breast or getting called back for more tests after a mammogram does not necessarily mean cancer. Many lumps are caused by benign conditions. While you shouldn’t panic, it is still important to get any breast changes checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.
When women do get cancer, one out of every three cases is breast cancer. So, it makes sense that feeling that lump could induce some anxiety.
Here is some information about breast lumps and other breast changes that are not cancerous.
Breast Cysts
Breast lumps could actually be cysts, fluid filled sacs that are typically round or oval in shape. These cysts aren’t cancerous and don’t raise your risk of getting breast cancer. Typically seen in women in their 40s, scientists don’t have a clear reason why cysts form. There may be some connection to the female hormone estrogen.
Cysts can become uncomfortable or painful just before your period. If they do cause a lot of pain, they can be drained using a needle. Otherwise, the cysts can be left alone.
Your doctor can determine if a lump is a cyst by either using ultrasound or a fine needle biopsy.
New Breast Pain
The good news is that breast pain is rarely associated with cancer. You should still get it checked out, though. Most of the time, breast pain comes and goes with your menstrual cycle or resolves itself. You may also have gotten injured without realizing it. For example, your kids may come jump on you and since you are too busy making sure that they are safe and don’t fall, you ignore any injury that they might have caused.
Nipple Discharge
If you aren’t nursing or in the last stages of your pregnancy, nipple discharge can be a scary thing. Nipple discharge can sometimes indicate cancer, especially if it is bloody. There are, however other benign reasons for nipple discharge. Non-cancerous growths in the large ducts near the nipples can result in nipple discharge. These papillomas, as they are called, do not raise your breast cancer risk at all. Typically, for treatment, the growths and the part of the ducts where they resided are removed.