FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A LUMP IS CANCEROUS?

Cancerous lumps are harder and fixed. Non-cancerous lumps tend to be mobile. There are exceptions have all breast lumps checked out by a breast ultrasound exam at a specialized breast center.

WHEN SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT A LUMP?

All breast lumps have to be evaluated by a breast ultrasound, in women over the age of 30 years a diagnostic mammogram is also needed to determine the cause of the breast lump and decide on the next step. About 15% of breast lumps will show an abnormality that will require a biopsy and one third of the biopsied masses turn out to be cancerous. Smaller the cancer the better the outcome.

WHAT DOES A CANCER LUMP FEEL LIKE HARD OR SOFT?

Cancer often has a harder consistency because of the tumor itself and the fibrous tissue that is associated with the cancer. Some cancers may feel soft, so irrespective of the consistency of a breast lump further testing is always needed.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A LUMP IN MY BREAST?

As soon as you discover a lump, call your primary care doctor or your gynecologist. They may perform a clinical exam in their office or send you to a breast center to undergo a breast ultrasound and a mammogram as needed. Remember a Breast Ultrasound exam is the only way to determine if a lump felt by you is caused by a tumor.

WHAT ARE THE 10 SIGNS OF CANCER?

Signs of cancer: Breast lump, itching nipple, bloody spontaneous discharge from the nipple, unexplained inflammation of the breast, nipple retraction, skin changes are some of the external signs of breast cancer.

CAN A LUMP ON THE ARM BE CANCER?

Yes. An ultrasound is needed to determine the need for a biopsy.

WHEN SHOULD I GO TO A DOCTOR FOR A BREAST LUMP?

Always since a breast lump may be caused by breast cancer and needs to be evaluated by a breast ultrasound examination.