It can be any shape or size,' said the site. It often feels hard, like a lemon seed, and usually immovable. 'The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump, deep in the breast.

Think of it like a marble, one expert said. It can be deep in the breast or visible on the surface.

A hard lump - of any shape or size - in your breast that doesn't move is the most common sign of breast cancer. Kerger said that any new lump 'is a problem' that you should bring to a doctor.Īccording to Know Your Lemons, a nonprofit global organization that focuses on making information about breast cancer warning signs and detection methods accessible, a hard lump is a common sign of cancer. 'It is easier to do a test than find out later.' What does a lump really look like? Jessica Jones, a breast oncologist at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas. she should always err on the side of caution,' said Dr. If a woman is at all concerned, even if it may be nothing. 'I would more encourage women to say if something just doesn't feel right. Judy Song, chief of breast imaging at MedStar Health, added that at different points in your menstrual cycle, you may have more lumps and bumps, so being familiar with those changes can help you understand what's normal on your chest.īy regularly examining your breasts and the area around them - Kerger said to make sure your examination includes the area around your armpit and the sides of your breasts - you'll be more likely to notice alarming lumps or other changes quicker. It's really important that, if you're going to do something like that, to do it consistently.'ĭr. All of that changes what you're feeling and where things are in your breasts, because breasts are mobile. 'And you should do it in the same manner, whether you're in the shower, lying in bed, sitting up. 'Pick a date, because your breasts change with your hormones,' Kerger said. Breast cancer lumps are hard and don't move. Breast calcifications are usually too small to feel with your fingers. A mammogram can capture different masses within the breast: Benign cysts tend to feel soft when they're closer to the surface of the breast or hard when they're further in. Amy Kerger, a radiologist who specializes in breast cancer imaging at Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, part of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says there are benefits to picking one day a month to do a brief examination. While the recommendation is not to perform regular inspections, data shows many patients self-detect their breast cancers, showing the importance of knowing how your breasts usually look and feel. ACOG defines 'being familiar' as knowing what is normal for your breasts' appearance and feel. Instead, you should be familiar with your breasts so you are able to recognize a change in them - such as pain, redness, a mass or nipple discharge, which can sometimes indicate cancer - and see a health care provider.

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