What to Do If You Find a Lump in Your Breast: Essential Steps to Take

Noticing a breast lump can be alarming, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions. BCRF explains what it could mean and the steps to take next

Finding a lump in your breast can be alarming. It’s one of the most-recognized signs of breast cancer. While it’s natural for your mind to jump to the worst-case scenario, it can be reassuring to know that most breast lumps are not cancer. It’s common for breast tissue to feel bumpy, and many lumps turn out to be harmless cysts, benign growths, or fibrocystic breast changes. Still, if you experience any persistent change or changes to your breast, it’s important to get it checked out.

Knowing what to do if you find a lump in your breast can make a big difference for your health and emotional wellbeing. A healthcare professional can determine what may be causing the lump and whether further testing is needed. In many cases, breast lumps turn out to be benign—but it’s always best to get answers. Keeping up with routine care—including annual breast cancer screening if you’re over 40 or are at a high risk of breast cancer—is also essential for early detection and peace of mind.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after finding a lump in your breast and how quickly you should take action.

Understanding breast lumps

A breast lump is a localized swelling or mass in your breast that feels different from the tissue around it. It can vary in size, texture, and location. Some can be as large as a golf ball, while others may be as tiny as a pea. Their texture can feel round and smooth, or jagged and hard. Depending on what’s causing it, a breast lump can feel tender or painful. But in many cases, it comes with no discomfort whatsoever.

When someone finds a lump in their breast, their first thought is often cancer. In fact, according to one survey, 93 percent of adults know that a breast lump can be a sign of breast cancer.

But most breast lumps are something other than cancer, such as:

• fibroadenomas
• fibrocystic breast changes due to hormonal fluctuations
• cysts
• fat necrosis after an injury
• lipomas
• mastitis
• abscesses
• milk cysts
• intraductal papillomas

With so many possible causes—many of them benign—it’s important not to jump to conclusions if you find a lump in your breast. But it’s just as important not to ignore it. Getting it evaluated by a doctor can narrow down the potential cause, and if it is something serious, earlier detection will give you a better outcome from treatment.

When to worry about a breast lump

It’s completely normal to feel worried when you discover a lump in your breast. Even knowing that most lumps aren’t cancer, any unexpected change in your breast can be worrying. So, what does a breast cancer lump feel like?

A breast cancer lump tends to be hard, painless, and irregularly shaped. It may be moveable after it first develops, but as time goes on, it tends to be harder to move around.

Changes other than a lump in your breast that may also be concerning include:

• dimpling
• redness
• puckering
• bulging
• changes in shape or size
• pain localized to one area
• nipple retraction
• nipple discharge (except breast milk)
• swelling

“While a breast lump—either with or without other symptoms—doesn’t automatically mean cancer, it’s a good reason to make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out,” says Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry, chief scientific officer at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

What to do if you find a lump in your breast

If you find a lump in your breast, try your best not to panic. Taking the right steps can help you get answers, whether it turns out to be something benign or requires follow-up care.

Here’s what to do if you find a lump in your beast:

1. Keep track of it.

Changes to your breast, especially through hormonal shifts throughout the month and as you age, are normal. If you notice a lump or any other changes, keep track of it and if they persist for more than one to two menstrual cycles, don’t hesitate to get it checked. If you find multiple symptoms, consider getting in touch with your physician sooner.  

2. Call your doctor.

Getting to the bottom of a breast lump or other changes starts with a thorough breast exam from a healthcare professional. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or gynecologist/OB-GYN.

3. Be prepared to describe the lump.

While you keep an eye on the lump or any other changes, take note of anything you notice about it, such as its location, firmness, shape, and texture. These details can help your doctor evaluate what’s going on and figure out what steps to take next, if any. Let them know if you experience any other breast cancer symptoms, such as:

• swollen lymph nodes under your arm or collarbone
• breast or nipple pain
• changes to the skin of the breast or nipple

It can also be helpful to make sure your doctor has your family history of breast cancer, and other cancers, on file.

4. Follow through on breast imaging and testing.

Depending on what your doctor finds during a manual breast exam, they may recommend breast cancer screening or diagnostic tests, such as a:

• mammogram: a tool that uses low-dose X-rays to detect abnormalities in breast tissue. It is often used in routine screening or to evaluate a specific lump.
• breast ultrasound: it helps distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts, providing additional insight beyond a mammogram. It can also be helpful at evaluating lumps in dense breasts.
• breast MRI: it provides a higher level of detail than mammograms to help doctors evaluate breast abnormalities or lumps in dense breasts.

Breast imaging is often enough to rule out cancer as the cause of a breast lump. But if your doctor still has concerns, they may order a breast biopsy. This involves removing a sample of the tissue and sending it to a lab to check for cancerous cells. Of the 1.6 million breast biopsies performed in the U.S. each year, most are benign (noncancerous).

Your doctor will usually receive a pathology report within a few days of the biopsy. They will review the findings with you and discuss any next steps to consider.

5. Stay informed and ask questions.

Waiting for answers about a breast lump can be stressful, but understanding the process can help you feel more in control. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor what the tests are for, when you’ll get results, and what to expect next. If anything is unclear, speak up—there are no bad questions when it comes to your health. And keep in mind that you can always seek a second opinion at any point.

Knowing what to expect and what your options are can bring a bit of comfort while you figure out what’s causing the breast lump.

Understanding the odds of breast cancer

If you’ve found a lump in your breast, it’s completely normal to feel concerned, but remember: Most breast lumps are things like cysts, fibroadenomas, or other noncancerous changes in breast tissue.

That said, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Approximately one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point in their life—and most breast cancers don’t begin with a lump you can feel. When a lump is the first sign, it may be a symptom of a more advanced or aggressive type of breast cancer. That’s why routine screening, like mammograms, is so critical—it can catch cancer before symptoms appear, often at the earliest and most treatable stages.

Your individual odds of breast cancer depend on a variety of risk factors, including:

• age
• genetics
• race and ethnicity
• sex at birth
• family history
• personal health history
• breast density
• benign breast conditions
• weight
• alcohol use
• smoking
• timing of pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• hormone use

A doctor can review your risk factors to assess whether you might benefit from earlier or more frequent screening or genetic testing. This kind of personalized approach can increase your chances of catching breast cancer early—including before a lump ever appears.

Can breast lumps disappear on their own?

Yes, some breast lumps can go away on their own. Younger women, for example, may notice a lump that comes and goes with their menstrual cycle. Temporary breast lumps can also develop during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause because of the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations. And harmless cysts can form at any age and disappear just as spontaneously.

That said, even if a lump seems temporary or begins shrinking, it’s still important to have it checked by a doctor if it persists. A medical evaluation can rule out anything serious. It can also come with treatment recommendations for temporary lumps, such as antibiotics if the lump is from a breast infection or fluid draining for large, painful cysts.

Taking action: What you should do after finding a lump

Knowing what to do if you find a lump in your breast can help you stay calm and take the right next steps. While most breast lumps turn out to be noncancerous, it’s still important to have any new or unusual change checked by a doctor. They can determine if you’d benefit from follow-up testing or whether it’s no cause for concern.

While breast self-exams haven’t been proven to offer meaningful benefits across large populations, they can help you get familiar with what’s normal for your body and potentially spot changes early. If you notice a breast lump or another change, don’t ignore it. Chances are high that it’s benign, but if it turns out to be something serious, getting answers early gives you the best chance for successful treatment.

Thanks to ongoing research, the outlook for breast cancer continues to improve. Advances in early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are saving lives and helping more people move forward with promising treatment options after a diagnosis.

Staying on top of your breast health—through routine screenings, risk assessments, and simply knowing what’s normal for you—can make a real difference. And if you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to speak with a healthcare professional.

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Frequently asked questions about breast cancer lumps

What does a breast cancer lump feel like?

A concerning breast lump may feel hard, irregular in shape, and fixed in place. Changes in the skin or nipple discharge may also accompany it. However, some breast cancer lumps can feel soft and smooth, so it’s important to get any lump evaluated by a doctor to determine what’s causing it.

What are the odds a breast lump is cancerous?

Age, family history, genetics, lump characteristics, and many other individual factors can influence the likelihood of breast cancer.

Can a breast lump go away on its own?

Certain breast lumps, such as cysts, may resolve naturally, particularly if linked to hormonal changes. However, regular monitoring and medical advice are essential for spotting a more serious condition early.

Is a mobile lump in the breast always benign?

Most moveable breast lumps turn out to be benign. However, some breast cancers can cause moveable lumps in early stages, so it’s important to get it checked by a doctor to rule out a serious condition.

What should I do if I find a lump in my breast that feels different over time?

If a lump changes in size, shape, or feels different over time, tell your doctor right away. They can evaluate it and order imaging and biopsies, if necessary, to determine whether it may be breast cancer.