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Breast lump: Early evaluation is essential A breast lump deserves medical attention. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Open pop-up dialog box Nipple changes Close. Nipple changes Breast and nipple changes can be a sign of breast cancer. Open pop-up dialog box Fine-needle aspiration Close. Fine-needle aspiration During fine-needle aspiration, a special needle is inserted into a breast lump and any fluid is removed aspirated.
Open pop-up dialog box Core needle biopsy Close. Core needle biopsy A core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow tube to extract a sample of tissue. Open pop-up dialog box Stereotactic breast biopsy Close.
Stereotactic breast biopsy During a stereotactic breast biopsy, your breast will be firmly compressed between two plates. Show references Sabel MS. In younger women, lumps are often related to menstrual periods and will go away by the end of the cycle. If you find a new breast mass during pregnancy or lactation, these are also frequently benign; most frequently these will be fibroadenoma or galactocele milk cyst. However, it is still important to see your healthcare provider about these to rule out the small chance of a cancer that is being stimulated by the hormones related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
See your doctor if you have any of these warning signs of breast cancer :. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows physicians to look for changes in breast tissue and it is the best way to check for breast cancer.
Although there are multiple guidelines with differing recommendations, Intermountain Healthcare recommends annual mammograms beginning at age If they're not sure what's causing the lump, they'll refer you to a hospital or breast clinic for further tests.
These tests are often done during the same visit. You'll usually be told the results on the same day, although biopsy results take longer — you may have to wait about a week. Breast Cancer Now has more information about what to expect at a breast clinic appointment. These are temporary and usually disappear in a few months as well. Breast tissue varies in consistency, with the upper-outer part of your breast being firm and the inner-lower parts feeling somewhat softer.
If you are a woman, your breasts can become more tender or lumpy during your menstrual cycle. Breasts tend to get less dense as you get older. It is important to be familiar with how your breasts normally feel so you are aware of changes. But keep in mind that the U. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend that your doctor teach you how to examine your breasts on your own.
In some cases, this may lead to unnecessary medical procedures to ensure that the lump is benign. Instead of performing breast self-examination, most experts recommend that women simply be aware of what their breasts normally look and feel like. For example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women practice breast self-awareness.
You should report any changes or concerns to your doctor. Remember, most breast lumps are noncancerous. However, you should make an appointment to see your doctor if:. You can book an appointment with a primary care doctor in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool. When you visit your doctor to report a breast lump, they will probably ask you questions about when you discovered the lump, and if you have any other symptoms.
They will also perform a physical exam of the breasts. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that helps identify breast abnormalities. A diagnostic mammogram can be compared to previous screening mammograms, if available, to see how the breast tissue has changed.
An ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of your breast. Fluid from a breast lump can be removed with a needle.
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