I found a lump on my breast … is it cancer?

Noticing something unusual on the body—especially a lump in your breast—can be a frightening experience. 

It’s easy to jump to the worst-case scenario and assume it’s cancer, with visions of surgery and months of treatment filling the mind.

However, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that most breast lumps are not cancerous. In fact, even when radiologists see an abnormality on a mammogram and recommend a biopsy, the majority of biopsies do not reveal cancer.

“Patients should remain calm,” says Russell Reisner, MD, a breast surgeon with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Group’s Complete Breast Care Langhorne. “In younger women, it’s actually very common for women’s breasts to change with their monthly cycle. If the lump is mild, we recommend that she wait through the next menstrual cycle and see if the lump remains before contacting her provider. It may very likely go away.”

Postmenopausal women should not wait to get checked, as it’s very unlikely that a lump in the breast is caused by hormonal fluctuations at this point in life.

When should you get a breast lump checked?

Although most breast lumps are benign, certain characteristics may warrant particular attention. These include lumps that:

• Remain present through a menstrual cycle or do not go away
• Cause skin tethering or dimpling
• Pull on the underlying chest muscles
• Feel anchored rather than rolling around freely under your fingers
• Feel hard or firm rather than soft and squishy

However, a lump does not need to have these characteristics to warrant evaluation. Any new or persistent breast lump should be discussed with a health care provider.

“Many women are concerned when they have pain in their breasts, but pain is typically not associated with breast cancer,” says Dr. Reisner. “Pain is much more commonly associated with a benign or inflamed area of the breast as opposed to breast cancer. But while breast pain is usually related to noncancerous conditions, persistent pain or other unusual breast changes should still be discussed with a provider.”

When a lump is found and doesn’t go away, patients may undergo breast imaging to help determine its cause. Oftentimes, a lump in the breast turns out to be one of the following:

• Normal breast tissue
• A fluid-filled sac called a cyst
• A benign tumor

Depending on the findings, further evaluation by a breast surgeon may be needed. Patients can expect to discuss the nature of the lump, when they first noticed it and whether any changes have occurred. Dr. Reisner works to ensure his patients don’t immediately assume the worst if they require further testing.

“Most of the patients I see in the office are quite scared, especially if their initial imaging studies showed an abnormality. The best part of my job is to take away some of that fear by reassuring women that, most of the time, we do not find cancer,” he says. “I reassure them that, number one, they most likely don’t have cancer. And number two, if in the unlikely event we do find cancer, most breast cancer nowadays is very treatable. Most people diagnosed can be cured from this disease.”

Breast self-exams vs. professional screenings

Being familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel is important, and women should report any new lumps, skin or nipple changes, or other unusual symptoms to their health care provider. However, the American Cancer Society no longer recommends routine self-breast exams for those of average risk.

Studies have shown that these exams can lead to unnecessary stress, as women may mistake normal breast tissue for something concerning. Other studies have found that relying on self-exams can create a false sense of security, potentially causing women to overlook the importance of professional screenings.

“Most times, when women feel lumps in their breast, it ends up being normal breast tissue. It’s almost physically impossible for a woman to thoroughly examine her own breasts, so we don’t recommend for them to do this on a regular basis anymore,” says Dr. Reisner.

That’s why, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Reisner underscores the importance of staying on top of recommended professional screenings rather than relying on self-exams to determine whether something is concerning. Mammograms can help detect cancer in its earliest stages, sometimes before symptoms appear.

It’s recommended to begin annual mammograms at age 40, along with breast examinations as appropriate. Women at higher risk due to personal or family history may need earlier or more frequent screening.

Risk assessments are offered at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Group locations at the time of breast imaging, with high-risk patients referred to Dr. Reisner’s office for a more formal evaluation.

“Sometimes, people get busy and put off routine health care, including having your mammograms,” says Dr. Reisner. “I want to remind people that it’s a simple thing. It takes an hour of your time, and it really makes a difference.”

Learn more about breast health services at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic and make an appointment.