Summary
Most women experience breast changes at some time. Your age, hormone levels, and medicines you take may cause lumps, bumps, and discharges (fluids that are not breast milk).
If you have a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, see your health care provider. Minor and serious breast problems have similar symptoms. Although many women fear cancer, most breast problems are not cancer.
Some common breast changes are
- Fibrocystic breast changes – lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often just before a woman’s period
- Cysts – fluid-filled lumps
- Fibroadenomas – solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women
- Intraductal papillomas – growths similar to warts near the nipple
- Blocked milk ducts
- Milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding
NIH: National Cancer Institute
Encyclopedia
- Aging changes in the breast
- Breast lump removal – slideshow
- Breast ultrasound
- Subareolar abscess
- Supernumerary nipples
- Transillumination
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
- National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
- womenshealth.gov Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Start Here
- Benign Breast Problems and Conditions American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Breast Problems in Women American Academy of Family Physicians
- Facts for Life: Benign Breast Changes Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions American Cancer Society
- Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women National Cancer Institute
Array
- Breast – premenstrual tenderness and swelling
- Breast biopsy — stereotactic
- Breast biopsy — ultrasound
- Breast infection
- Breast lump
- Breast MRI scan
- Breast pain
- Breast self exam
- Breast skin and nipple changes
- Fibroadenoma – breast
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Gynecomastia
- Intraductal papilloma
- Nipple problems
Diagnosis and Tests
- Breast Biopsy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Cyst Aspiration American Academy of Family Physicians
- Breast Lump: Early Evaluation Is Essential Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Pain in Women American Academy of Family Physicians
- Galactography (Ductography) Array
- Needle Biopsy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Stereotactic (Mammographically Guided) Breast Biopsy Array
- Ultrasound – Breast Array
- Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy Array
Specifics
- Breast Calcifications Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Cysts Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Lumps Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Pain Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Breast Rash Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Fibroadenoma Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Galactorrhea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Mammary Duct Ectasia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Mastitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Nipple Discharge Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Health Check Tools
- Breast Lump DSHI Systems
- Breast Pain DSHI Systems
- Nipple Discharge DSHI Systems
Men
- Breast Problems in Men American Academy of Family Physicians
- Gynecomastia (Enlarged Breasts in Men) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Breast Cyst National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Breast Diseases National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Fibrocystic Breast Disease National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Gynecomastia National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Mastitis National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Mastodynia National Institutes of Health
Related Issues
- Fibrocystic Breast Changes: Linked to Breast Cancer? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Teenagers
- Gynecomastia Nemours Foundation
- Should I Do a Breast Self-Exam? Nemours Foundation
- Why Are My Breasts Different Sizes? Nemours Foundation
- Why Are My Breasts Sore? Nemours Foundation
Images
- Nipple Dermatitis Logical Images
- Supernumerary Nipple Logical Images
Journal Articles
