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Breast lumps and cancer

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Female Breast
Female Breast
Causes of Breast Lumps
Causes of Breast Lumps

Alternative names    Return to top

Cancer and breast lumps

Information    Return to top

While a common breast complaint and concern is a newly discovered breast lump, only a small percentage turn out to be cancer. In fact, many women have lumpy breasts, or a condition called fibrocystic breast disease that is benign. If you have this condition, examining your breasts can be confusing and, at times, alarming. It is still very important to check your breasts at the same time each month and bring anything that feels new or different to your doctor's attention. It may be helpful to know that a cancerous lump tends to be hard and unmovable. See breast lump and fibroadenoma.

Update Date: 1/16/2004

Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.