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    Breast Care

    • Overview
    • Breast lumps
    • Breast self-exams
    • Breast cancer
    • Breast cancer prevention
    • Breastfeeding and mastitis

    Breast lumps

    A breast lump can be described as a mass, growth, swelling, thickness or fullness. A breast lump can vary in the way it looks and feels. If you have a breast lump, you may notice:

    • A distinct lump with definite borders.
    • A thickened, slightly more prominent area in your breast that's different from surrounding breast tissue.
    • Other breast changes, such as redness, dimpling or pitting of the skin.
    • One breast that's noticeably larger than the other.
    • Nipple changes, such as a nipple that's pulled inward, also called nipple inversion, or spontaneous fluid discharge from your nipple.
    • Breast pain or tenderness.

    Sometimes, a breast lump is a sign of breast cancer. That's why you should seek prompt medical evaluation. Fortunately, however, most breast lumps result from noncancerous, or benign, conditions.

    A breast lump can develop as a result of conditions, such as:

    • Breast cancer
    • Breast cysts
    • Fibrocystic breasts
    • Hamartoma, a noncancerous tumor in the breast
    • Injury or trauma to the breast

    Make an appointment with your health care provider to have a breast lump evaluated, especially if:

    • The breast lump is new or unusual, and feels different from surrounding tissue or from tissue in your other breast.
    • The breast lump doesn't go away or gets bigger after your next menstrual period.
    • The breast lump changes — gets bigger, firmer or more defined from surrounding breast tissue.
    • You have bloody, possibly spontaneous discharge from your nipple.
    • You notice skin changes on your breast, such as redness, crusting, dimpling or puckering.
    • Your nipple is turned inward, or inverted, although it isn't normally positioned that way.

    Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.

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