What Does a Breast Cancer Lump Feel Like? Telltale Signs and Symptoms

Changes in your breast tissue are a natural and constant occurrence. How do you know when it’s time to be concerned?

It’s not unusual for your breasts to change over time. While every change deserves your attention, there are telltale signs of those that should be most concerning.

What Does a Malignant Breast Lump Feel Like?

During its earliest stages, a breast cancer mass will be too small to be found by feel. But as it grows to the size of pencil eraser (about 1 centimeter), you may be able to find it under your skin – depending on where it is in your breast.

Characteristics of a breast cancer lump typically include:

• Firm and solid
• Irregular, asymmetrical or poorly defined edges
• Unlikely to be painful, but there could be some focal tenderness

There are some lumps, however, that may feel soft. So it is important that you tell your doctor about any new lumps in your breast or armpit.

Visible Signs of Breast Cancer Beyond Lumps

There are several steps you can take to increase your chances of catching breast cancer early, when it is usually easier to treat. Start by making a point of being aware of your breasts. Ideally, this is a habit that will start at an early age – even in teenage years when breasts start developing. There are numerous visible changes that should prompt you to see a doctor. Those include:

• Change in the size or shape of one of your breasts
• Redness, puckering, dimpling or scaling on a breast or in the nipple area
• Unexplained fluid coming out of a nipple
• A nipple that turns inside out (inverted nipple)

How To Perform a Breast Self-Exam

You should also develop a regular habit of breast self-awareness, knowing what is normal for your breasts and performing periodic self-exams. You are in the best position to notice even subtle changes in your own breasts. Ideally, you will do this at least once a month. If you have difficulty remembering it, put a reminder in your phone or calendar.

There are different methods for self-exams. You can ask your doctor for recommendations or consider this one:

Start by lying down. Then take turns with each hand examining the opposite side breast. Use the first three fingers, held together and flat. Start with your nipple area and work in a gradually expanding circle until you have covered the entire breast. You should be exploring from your collarbone to your abdomen and from your cleavage to your armpit.

If you find anything suspicious, talk to your doctor. You don’t need to rush to the emergency room. But make an appointment to be seen within a few days.

Mammogram Screening Guidelines and Risk Factors

Think of your self-examination as a first line of defense against breast cancer. But it’s also important that you take advantage of regular mammogram screenings – with frequency dictated by a range of factors.

If you are considered to be at average risk for breast cancer, it is recommended that you get screened annually starting at age 40. However, the frequency and starting age may vary significantly if you are at higher risk. Among the risk factors:

• You have a personal history of breast cancer.
• You have a strong family history of breast cancer. This includes multiple first-, or second-degree relatives with breast cancer or any relative diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50.
• You have a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or a family history of pancreatic cancer associated with a hereditary cancer syndrome.    
• You have a confirmed genetic risk, from BRCA1 or BRCA2, for example.

If you have any of these risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting screenings up to 10 years earlier and annual exams. Women with a lifetime risk greater than 20% are also typically recommended to have annual breast MRIs in addition to mammography. If you have a strong family history, it may be helpful to see a genetic counselor to explore specific risks. This information can be valuable both for you and other family members.

This content is not AI generated.