An unexplained bump on the breast can be alarming, but its cause is not always as serious as cancer. While researching the causes can be useful for understanding future diagnosis, you should always consult a doctor if you develop a bump on your breast. Check your breasts regularly for any changes and visit your doctor if you notice any growths or changes to the skin on your breasts.
Common Causes
There are many common causes for a bump or lump on the breast. Bumps often result because of fibrocystic changes, fibroadenoma or a cyst, according to MedlinePlus. Fibrocystic changes are changes to the breast, which are a normal part of breast change. These changes can make a woman's breasts feel lumpy and painful. Fibroadenoma are rubbery-feeling lumps that usually do not cause a woman pain or discomfort. Cysts are small bumps on the breast that may appear red or feel painful. Cysts can feel soft and movable and if they burst, they usually excrete clear or greenish fluid.
Other Causes
A bump on your breast can also result from a milk duct infection, cancer or injury. Milk cysts, abscesses formed from mastitis and intraductal papilloma, may all appear as a lump on your breast. Milk cysts are cysts filled with breast milk and both milk cysts and mastitis related abscesses usually occur after a woman has given birth. An intraductal papilloma usually appears around the areola and may have a pink, watery discharge, states MedlinePlus.
If you have fallen or taken a knock to the breast, this can also cause a bump to form. If you are overweight or obese, fat necrosis, a painless lump that may appear red or bruised looking presents another possibility. Sclerosing adenosis, a non-cancerous condition that causes excess tissue growth, could also be the cause, states the Federal Citizen Information Center.
Examination
A doctor will usually ask a number of questions to try to determine the cause of your bump, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Make a note of whether you have noticed any other symptoms, such as discharge, pain or fever, so that your doctor can make a more informed diagnosis. Your doctor will also need to know whether you take any medications or hormones, so have a list ready to answer these questions.
Identification
Your doctor may perform a number of tests to determine the cause of the bump, including mammograms, biopsy, MRI and ultrasound to examine the bump in-depth. If your doctor requires you to have a mammogram or biopsy, do not panic. Four out of every five biopsied lumps turn out to be non-cancerous, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
Treatment of your bump will depend on the final diagnosis. Taking vitamin E or one of the B complex vitamins may help if you are diagnosed with fibrocystic changes. Cutting down on fatty foods, caffeine and chocolate can also help, as can taking the contraceptive pill, states MedlinePlus. Cysts are often lanced in a doctor's office and breast tumors are often treated by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Your doctor can advise you on the best course of treatment for your particular bump.
