When You Should and Shouldn't Worry About Breast Lumps

By Woman's Day Staff

Instead of trying to give yourself monthly checks and worrying about whether you're doing it right, some experts suggest an easier at-home method that can help you stay safe: "Become breast aware," says Therese Bevers, MD, medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at The MD Anderson Cancer Center. Touch your breasts each time you take a shower or bath to get a general sense of where they are lumpy and how your tissue feels. That way, you'll be aware of any changes that may occur. If you find something that doesn't feel right, reach out to your doctor immediately. Photo by Getty Images.

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Fibroadenoma
What It Feels Like
You may feel a smooth, but firm, lump-like a gumball. It may or may not be accompanied by pain.
What It Is
A growth of benign breast tissue made up of normal cells.
Who's At Risk
Women 15 to 35, African-American women and postmenopausal women taking hormones.
Treatment
Watch this lump closely for changes. Your doctor may evaluate the lump with an imaging test.

Cyst
What It Feels Like
There may be pain in a specific area that doesn't go away between your periods. The lump is often squishy, like a grape or a water balloon.
What It Is
A fluid-filled sac in the breast.
Who's At Risk
Women who are nearing menopause (experts think cysts might be caused by a shift in hormones).
Treatment
Cysts can be drained with a needle if they cause you discomfort. And if they become too painful, they can be surgically removed.

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Ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ (DCIS or LCIS)
What It Feels Like
With a DCIS, one nipple may excrete liquid or a hard lump may be found in the breast. With an LCIS, a lump may or may not form, and you likely won't feel any pain.
What It Is
Abnormal cells in the lining of the milk ducts, or in the area where milk is produced (called the lobule).
Who's At Risk
The risk is higher in women over 45 for both DCIS and LCIS.
Treatment
For DCIS, the lump may be surgically removed and radiation may follow. LCIS responds more to nonsurgical treatment; medication may stop it from turning into invasive breast cancer.

Invasive ductal carcinoma
What It Feels Like
You might notice a hard lump that has irregular borders (or feels star-shaped) in your breast-it'll likely feel very anchored and the skin above it may be pulled in.
What It Is
A mass of abnormal cells that have the potential to break through the milk ducts and spread through the blood to other parts of the breast and body. This is the most common invasive breast cancer, accounting for about 8 out of every 10 cases.
Who's At Risk
Women as they age, women who had a first pregnancy after age 35 or were never pregnant. Also, overweight women and those who took hormone replacement after menopause or have a mother, daughter or sister who had breast cancer.
Treatment
Surgery to remove the lump and radiation and/or mastectomy. Medication may also be given, since these cancer cells can be spread through the blood.

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Inflammatory breast cancer

What It Feels Like
Your breast may become red, swollen and warm to the touch. It doesn't always cause a bump, but watch out for a change in the appearance of your breast (the skin may look dimpled like an orange peel).
What It Is
An invasive breast cancer in which cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.
Who's At Risk
Women in their mid-50s and women who are African-American.
Treatment
It's usually treated with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and sometimes hormonal therapy.

SOURCES: Susan Love, MD, president and medical director, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Jo Anne Zujewski, MD, head of the breast cancer treatment and evaluation program, National Cancer Institute.

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