Breast

Patient Education > Breast

Most breast problems are benign (not cancerous). Many breast problems do not need treatment or are easy to treat. Common breast complaints include a change in texture or firmness, a lump or lumps, pain, bruising, or discharge from your nipple. A change that may be caused by breast cancer could include a firm lump that feels different from the tissue around it, a change in skin texture or color, a new dimple on the breast, a nipple that changes and becomes pulled in, or a change in the size or shape of just one (not both) of your breasts. If you find a change in your breasts, you should notify your family physician immediately.

Benign breast conditions may cause lumps or other changes. Finding a lump may be a cause for concern, but most breast lumps are benign. Breast lumps should first be examined by your family physician and may result in a referral to a surgeon. Common causes of benign breast lumps include fibrocystic changes (thick or lumpy breasts), cysts (fluid filled sacs), and fibroadenomas (solid benign growths). Microcalcifications are tiny deposits of calcium, that can be seen on a mammogram (an x-ray of breast tissue). Usually these are benign, but some types of microcalcifications can indicate breast cancer.

Changes in your breasts should be evaluated by your doctor and may warrant mammography, ultrasound or more invasive testing such as biopsy or removal.