I have a small lump on my lower left breast-how can I tell if this is cancerous? What are the characteristics?

Question

I know I probably should but keep putting it off and it has been months now. Someone told me it should be okay as long as it's not growing and isn't painful. Is this correct?

Answer 1

Unfortunately you cannot tell if it is cancerous yourself. The only way to tell for sure is to have a biopsy.

You probably want to go to the doctor and ask for an ultrasound and mammogram first. If you are under 45-50, make sure you get an ultrasound as well, because that will be able to better characterize a lump if you have dense breasts.

There are many possibilities for what it could be, and most lumps are benign. But not growing and not painful does not mean it is not cancer, unfortunately. Most cancerous lumps are not painful, in fact (although some are).

If you are young, do not let them dismiss you just because of your age. Insist on an ultrasound. They may do a FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a needle core biopsy or some other type of biopsy. If it's benign they may want to watch you closely for a few years just to make sure nothing changes.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You shouldn't let any lump go untreated or at least seen by a doctor. My breast cancer was not symptomatic at all. I had alot of pain for 4 months before I went to a doctor. My OBGYN thought it was a cyst that ruptured because I had a discharge but no lumps. When I went in for the Mammo. Come to find out, I had 3 huge masses and it had went into my lymph nodes. It was a very aggressive type cancer. So, honestly you just never know what's going on until you have it checked out. Early detection is the key. I am a firm believer in that! Take Care.........Kim

Answer 3

The doctor will take any changes to your breast tissue seriously. It could be a cyst, or fatty tissue, but it could also be a cancer. If it is cancer, it could still be small enough to get it now before it spreads to your lymph nodes and then to the rest of your body. It is always best to have it looked at. First by mammogram and if it is suspicious, they may do an ultrasound, biopsy, depending on the finding. You cannot tell the etiology of a lump by the way if feels to you on the outside. It needs to be checked radiographically or biopsy to be positive. I have been typing radiology for 4 years and most the time it is benign cysts. Go get it checked to be sure and good luck.

Answer 4

I sounds as if you are doing regular breast self-examination, which is great! The vast amount of lumps are benign. This is never a reason to take any lump lightly. Visit your OB/GYN for a work up. Request a mammogram. Depending upon the results, he/she may recommend an MRI of the breast or a biopsy. Any of the above are worth it, if nothing else for your peace of mind.

Early detection, treatment and follow up are keys to surviving breast cancer.

Answer 5

You, yourself, no matter what you do, cannot diagnose cancer. You need to go to your doctor IMMEDIATELY and let him feel of the lump and go from there. You cannot take any chances with your health. My mother is dying of cancer and I wish she would have done more to find out what was wrong with her before she did, because once she found out she was in stage 4 and had cancer throughout her body.

Answer 6

Get to a doctor ASAP. If you call your doctor tomorrow am and explain what is going on, you will very likely get an appointment that very day. I do not want to alarm you unnecessarily, but a dear friend of mine had a small lump that she ignored because as she put it "It's not bothering me, so i won't bother it." I look forward to seeing her in the resurrection.

Answer 7

No, cancer may or may not be painful .... I had stage 2 breast cancer and I never even knew it was there until I had a mammogram. Get one . Now!! Don't put it off!!!

Breast Cancer Link list

Low Cost or Free Mamograms in your area
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.asp

Breast Cancer.net News
http://www.breastcancer.net/1.php

Breast Cancer in Men
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_male_breast_cancer_28.asp?sitearea=CRI

CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/

Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation
http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer.html

National Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Procedure
http://www.breastbiopsy.com/mammotome_theprocedure.jsp

Y-Me national Breast Cancer Organization
http://www.y-me.org/

Answer 8

You should go to the doctor and probably undergo a biopsy. Nothing can tell you if it's malignant or not. Only a biopsy. Everything else is pure speculation. And it's your life at risk.
So go to the doctor. Tomorrow, It's not too soon.
Good luck,
Cristiana

Answer 9

I have the same issue. My Dr said that cancerous lumps are more "attached" and they wont move around. But you REALLY need to get and mammogram done to be sure.

Answer 10

You should see a doctor fast! Lumps can be signs of breast cancer.