Most breast changes, such as breast lumps or breast pain, are not signs of breast cancer.
However, if you notice a lump or any other change that’s new for you, see your GP as soon as possible.
- Breast lumps
Breast lumps can have a number of different causes.
It’s important to get any breast lumps checked by your doctor as a lump can be a sign of cancer.
Common causes of breast lumps
Common causes of breast lumps include:
- breast cyst – a fluid-filled sac that can develop as the breasts change with age
- fibroadenoma – a lump that often develops during puberty, but which can occur at any age
Less common causes of breast lumps
Less common causes of breast lumps include:
- intraductal papilloma – a wart-like lump that develops in one or more of the milk ducts in the breast
- fat necrosis – a lump that forms when an area of fatty breast tissue is damaged
- benign phyllodes tumour – a rare cause of breast lumps
- Breast pain
Breast pain is very common in women of all ages.
- Rash under the breast
A rash under your breast or breasts, between the folds of skin, is usually caused by a skin condition called intertrigo. It’s a very common condition that can occur throughout life.
- Other common breast conditions
Other common benign breast conditions include:
- breast calcifications – these don’t cause any noticeable symptoms and are usually found during breast screening or an investigation for another breast problem
- periductal mastitis – occurs when the ducts (tubes) under the nipple become inflamed and infected, causing a tender, hot or reddened breast
- gynaecomastia – an enlargement of breast tissue in men, usually affecting teenage boys and older men
- Less common conditions
Less common benign breast conditions include:
- hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia – more common in women over 35, these conditions don’t usually cause any symptoms
- Mondor’s disease – caused by inflammation of a vein just under the skin of the breast or chest wall
- sclerosing lesions of the breast – an area of hardened breast tissue, more common in women in their 30s and 40s
- duct ectasia – a result of normal breast changes that happen with age, which doesn’t usually cause any symptoms
- lobular neoplasia – usually found during a biopsy or test being done for another breast symptom or change, often in women aged 40 to 50
- Seeing your GP
Even though most breast changes will not be cancer, it’s still important to find out what is causing a change.
Your GP will examine your breasts. They may decide there’s no need for further investigation, or they may refer you to a breast clinic for further tests.