Breast lumps

Many women between ages 30 and 50 have breast lumps and they turn out to be nothing serious. Lumpy and tender breasts are especially common before you have your period or are breast-feeding. Most breast lumps go away after menopause.

Causes of breast lumps

• Inflammation (mastitis) which may occur when breastfeeding
• Injury
• Non-cancerous growth
• Cancer

The only way to be sure a breast lump is not cancerous is to have a biopsy.

Call your doctor right away if you feel a lump or thickness in your breast or armpit even if lumps are normal for you. Err on the side of caution, especially if you have a new breast lump after menopause.