What you should do if you find a breast lump (for men & women)

What you Should do if you Find a Breast Lump ( For men & women)

Overview

Being familiar with your breasts and understanding how they change is important to recognize changes that deserve further attention. According to studies, men experience higher mortality rates from breast cancer than women do, primarily because awareness amongst men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

What if you find a lump in your breast region? What should you do?

What are the causes of breast lumps? What does a lump feel like? How do you know whether it’s harmful or not?                        

Don't panic! Find out more with us *smile emoji*

What are Breast Lumps

A breast lump is an abnormal growth of tissue that develops within the breast. While some breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous), some can be malignant (cancerous).                                        

What are the Causes of Breast Lumps

There are different reasons why breast lumps develop. For men, they are usually caused by something fairly harmless. This could be gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissue), a lipoma (fatty lump) or a cyst (fluid-filled bump). There are many causes of breast lumps in women. Typically, a breast lump occurs for one of three reasons; tissue changes related to the hormonal fluctuations common before and during a woman’s menstrual cycle, a benign tumour or a cancerous tumour.

What do Breast Lumps Feel Like (in men and women)

If you notice an area of your breast that feels different from the surrounding tissues or corresponding tissues on the opposite breast, that is a concern.        

What should You Do

• Don't Panic: Whenever you feel a lump in your breast, it's natural to be concerned. But don't jump to assumptive conclusions. Speak with an expert.
• Contact your health-care provider: It is wise to always seek medical evaluations on any biological or medical differences you discover on your breasts. However, having a ready answer to the following questions will help your health care provider to diagnose more favourably and satisfactorily.
• When did you first notice the lump?
• Is the lump in one breast or both breasts?
• Can you feel the lump if you change positions (such as going from lying down to standing or sitting to standing?)
• What does the lump feel like (hard, tender, firm)?
• Is the lump fixed in one place or does it move?
• For women, does the lump correlate with your menstrual cycle?
• Is the lump painful, if so describe the pain (sharp, stabbing, or throbbing) and the intensity of the pain?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          You can also download the CareClick app to speak with a doctor anytime and anywhere.