What Does A Lump In Breast Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 4 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 4 Feb 2014 Answered on

Wed, 5 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i am 32 yrs old. i have quite lumpy breasts. i noticed a small lump on my left breast , on the areola about 3 months ago. i wasnt too concerned as my breast are lumpy. but i recently noticed that there is dimpling on the areola where the lump is. the lump has got bigger and it doesnt move. i have also noticed a bit of discharge on my bras, the lump is now the size of a pea. my doctor thinks that is a fibrodemia but i have read that tehy are easily moved around and mines doesnt.... i am quite concerned

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: at your age, a fibroadenoma more likely Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is understandable to be concerned. Breast cancer most commonly occurs in older women though it can young women as well. In younger persons, there may be a family history of breast cancer that increased the risk. A fibroadenoma is a lump made up fibrous (scar) and gland tissue of the breast. Though it may vary from one person to the next, they are normally firm, movable, not tender, smooth. It is possible that it is a fibroadenoma though it does not fit all of the criteria. It may be best to have an ultrasound of the breast. Normally when breast have a lot of lumps, an ultrasound may a better choice than a mammogram. It would be best to have it checked to make sure that it is a fibroadenoma (this is most likely at your age). I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (6 days later)

Thanks for the reply. There is a history of breast cancer in my family. one of my aunts had it at 26 years old and had the breast removed and also had it in the other breast at 38 years old. I have also had to go back to my GP in recent days as there is a slight indent on my breast and my GP said that the nipple looks slighty inverted.....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer: may suggest further imaging Detailed Answer: HI With family history, there is an increased risk but this increase does not mean you will definitely develop breast cancer, there is still just a chance of it occurring. Inversion may sometimes, in some not all women, indicate that a mass in the breast is pulling on the nipple and surrounding skin. Also with present modern techniques and medications, if you do unfortunately develop breast cancer, there are effective treatment options available to you. In addition to the imaging, you might want to consider asking your doctor whether testing for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are possible. These are genes in the body that produce tumor suppressor proteins (proteins that decrease the chance of breast cancer developing). Persons who have mutations or alterations in these genes (BRCA 1 and 2) , are at increased risk. As scary as it may be right now, it is important to remember no diagnosis of breast cancer has been made, at your age, it is unlikely. Please feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar