Fact

According to the Mayo Clinic, only about 20 percent of breast lumps are the result of cancer, but people should still err on the side of caution and see a doctor.

Causes

Some women have fibrocystic breasts, which have normal lumps and tender areas. The development of lumps in those with fibocystic breasts often occur during reproductive cycles. These lumps are not necessarily cancer, although they make it harder to diagnose it.

Cysts

Cysts are grape-sized lumps that contain some fluid. If they contain a greenish liquid and disappear after draining, then it is just a benign cyst. Cysts that return or contain blood are more serious and usually screened for cancerous cells.

Other Causes

Abscesses may form during breastfeeding due to infection. Injuries to the breast may also result in a lump, but these should abate within weeks. Intraductal papilloma (common in women between ages 35 and 55) sometimes induces a breast lump around the areola, but this, too, is usually benign and hard to even feel.

Tips

Take action if your breast lump grows or hardens, stays through multiple menstrual cycles, bleeds or the breast skin has unusual changes, such as redness.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Is it Breast Cancer? Procedures to Evaluate Breast Lumps

National Institute of Health: Breast Lump