See a GP if you notice any of the following changes: a change in the size, outline or shape of your breast. a change in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness. a new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before.
Thickening or swelling of part of the breast. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin. Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast. Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
Normal breast tissue often feels nodular (lumpy) and varies in consistency from woman to woman. Even within each individual woman, the texture of breast tissue varies at different times in her menstrual cycle, and from time to time during her life.
The skin on a healthy pair is flat, even, and free of color or texture changes over time. Take Note: Red or irritated skin under the breasts could signal a skin infection like intertrigo, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
When does breast development begin and end? In general, breast development begins between the ages of 8 and 13. A girl's breasts are typically fully developed by age 17 or 18, however in some cases they can continue to grow into her early twenties.
A lump in the breast may be visible to the eye or felt with your hands during a self-breast exam. But lumps or areas of swelling around the breast, under the armpit or near the collar bone may also be signs of cancer. A breast cancer lump often feels like a pea- or marble-shaped mass just under the skin.
See a GP if you notice any of the following changes: a change in the size, outline or shape of your breast. a change in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness. a new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before.
Some common, early warning signs of breast cancer include: Skin changes, such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts. An increase in size or change in shape of the breast(s) Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples.
Young women usually have dense breasts because their milk systems might be needed for feeding babies. Sometimes this thickness is felt as a lump or a mass of tissue. As women age, their milk systems shrink and are replaced by fat. By menopause, most women's breasts are completely soft.
Breast tissue has natural lumps and bumps that you may feel, and you might just be more likely than others to develop lumps in your breasts. If you feel the same lumpiness in both breasts, or there isn't one lump that's firmer than the others, it's most likely your normal breast tissue.
Fibroadenomas are solid, smooth, firm, noncancerous (benign) lumps that are most commonly found in women in their 20s and 30s. They are the most common benign lumps in women and can occur at any age. They are increasingly being seen in postmenopausal women who are taking hormone therapy.
Shape and size of a breast lump
A tumor may feel more like a rock than a grape. A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. Comander says.
When viewed on a mammogram, women with dense breasts have more dense tissue than fatty tissue. On a mammogram, nondense breast tissue appears dark and transparent. Dense breast tissue appears as a solid white area on a mammogram, which makes it difficult to see through.
"A breast lump will feel like a distinct mass that's noticeably more solid than the rest of your breast tissue. Lumps can range in size — from the size of a pea to larger than a golf ball — and may or may not be movable," says Dr. Joshi.
The takeaway
Many hard lumps in breast tissue are harmless. They can be caused by hormonal changes and might come and go on their own. These lumps are often easily moved with your fingers and might be tender to the touch. Lumps caused by breast cancer generally don't cause pain and can't be easily moved.
Hormone shifts
This sensitivity is known as cyclic mastalgia or fibrocystic changes. Around 50 percent of all women over the age of 30 experience this. Right before your period starts, your breasts may feel especially tender if you press on them, or they may ache.
Breast cancer can happen in your 20s and 30s. Since routine screening isn't recommended for this age group, diagnosis can be difficult. That's why understanding the statistics, as well as your personal risk factors, can help you with early diagnosis and treatment.
There are generally no symptoms of stage 0 breast cancer, though it can occasionally cause a breast lump or bloody discharge from your nipple.
Montgomery glands
The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Breast Lumps: Why Size, Movability, and Pain Matter
Harmless breast lumps can be solid and unmovable, like a dried bean; or movable, soft, and fluid-filled — you can roll it between your fingers like a grape. A lump may be pea-size, smaller than a pea, or even several inches across, although this larger size is rare.
Montgomery glands are normal skin glands that appear as small, painless bumps on the areola, which is the area of darkened skin around the nipple. Every person has Montgomery glands, though they are more apparent in some than others. These glands secrete oil to help keep the skin lubricated.