Monthly breast self-examinations are important for women age 20 or older, because breast cancer caught earlier is easier to treat, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Breast examinations should be done monthly a few days after the menstrual period ends or, if the patient does not menstruate, on the same day of every month. Although 4 out of 5 breast lumps are benign, there is no way to make that determination without a breast biopsy or other diagnostic testing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Any lump that is new or changed, feels different from the surrounding breast tissue or does not disappear after the patient's menstrual period should be considered suspicious.
New or Changed Lump
A new breast lump that has not been apparent on a previous self-examination should be checked by the patients' health care provider, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although the lump may be a benign cyst, fibroadenoma or non-malignant growth, the only way to be certain is to have a biopsy performed. A pre-existing lump that has changed since the last self-examination also needs to be brought to the attention of the health care provider.
Different Texture
A lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding breast tissue and does not go away after the menstrual period needs to be examined by a health care provider, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients who do monthly self-examinations can recognize the way that their breasts normally feel. The upper, outer breasts or glandular tissue feels firm and ropey, lumpy or bumpy. The fatty tissue of the inner and lower parts of the breast normally feel soft. On the other hand, a lump or mass in the breast feels solid in contrast to the surrounding tissue. It may be as small as a pea or feel like a marble under the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some lumps move when pushed on, while others do not. Lumps near the breast or under the armpit should also be considered suspicious.
Associated Symptoms
Other changes in the breast should be considered suspicious as well, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Changes in the size, contour or shape of the breast, dimpled, scaly, puckered or inflamed skin on the breast or a bloody or sticky discharge from the nipple should be evaluated, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other symptoms of possible concern are bruising on the breast without a history of an injury or a nipple that becomes inverted when it is not normally inverted, according to the Merck Manual.
