DiseaseInjuryNutritionPoison
Special TopicSurgerySymptomsTest
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z
Female Breast
Female Breast
Causes of Breast Lumps
Causes of Breast Lumps
Overview

Breast lumps and cancer

Alternative Names:
Cancer and breast lumps

Information:

Question:
Does a lump in the breast always mean cancer?

Answer:
No. While the most common breast complaint is a breast mass, only a small percentage are cancer. A cancerous lump tends to be hard and is unmovable. See breast lump and fibroadenoma.

Question:
Should you worry about cancer with breasts that are normally lumpy?

Answer:
Many women have lumpy breasts, or a condition (fibrocystic breast disease) that is benign. Appropriate monitoring and screening is still necessary, even though the breasts often feel lumpy. This should be diagnosed and monitored by your health care provider.



Review Date: 1/23/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial. (1/23/2002). Previous review: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; RxRemedy. (2/9/2000).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com