What Does a Breast Cancer Lump Feel Like?

Feeling a lump in your breast can be frightening, so let’s make one thing clear from the jump: The vast majority of breast lumps aren’t cancer.

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Still, it’s important to notice any changes in your breasts. But how can you tell what’s normal — and what deserves a closer look?

Breast health specialist Lakshmi Khatri, MD, explains what breast cancer lumps can feel like, plus other warning signs to watch for and when it’s time to get checked.

What does a breast cancer lump feel like?

One of the trickiest things about breast cancer is that there isn’t one “typical” kind of lump. Two people can have breast cancer, and their lumps can feel completely opposite. Breast cancer lumps can feel different depending on the kind of cancer, the size of the tumor and your breast anatomy.

Without medical imaging tests, like mammograms or breast ultrasounds, there’s no reliable way to know whether a breast lump is cancer or something more routine, like a cyst.

In other words, you can't diagnose breast cancer by feeling alone. A breast cancer lump may be:

Painful or painless
Hard or soft
Movable or fixed
Small or large
Smooth or irregular

Making things even more complicated: Healthy breast tissue can also feel lumpy.

“I describe normal breast tissue as feeling like cobblestones,” Dr. Khatri says. “There are lots of little nooks and crannies.”

Other signs to look out for

As you can’t rely on how a lump feels as a surefire sign that it’s cancer, it can help to look for other clues, too.

Of course, you should pay attention to new lumps or bumps — but Dr. Kahtri points out that some breast cancers don’t come with a noticeable lump at all. So, it’s also important to notice changes like:

Skin texture: Check the skin on your breast. Skin that’s noticeably dimpled like the peel of an orange (sometimes called peau d’orange) should be evaluated.
A new rash or redness: If you notice red or pinkish patches or streaks on your breasts, it’s worth getting checked out. Often, these are symptoms of eczema or other skin conditions, but talk with a healthcare provider to rule out more serious issues.
Changes to your nipple: Talk with a healthcare provider if you notice peeling, crusting or erosion around your nipple, if one nipple suddenly turns inward or if you have spontaneous discharge that’s clear or bloody and comes from one breast.

When should you see a doctor?

Getting familiar with your breasts is important. The better you know your body, the more likely you are to notice changes that could be something serious. So, you may have heard about the importance of performing regular breast self-exams (in addition to having annual well-woman exams and mammograms).

But resist the urge to jump to conclusions based on your own exam. If you notice anything different about your breasts, it’s time to call a women’s health provider.

“Even experienced clinicians can’t tell which lumps are cancerous for certain by feel alone,” Dr. Khatri clarifies. “Self-exams are an important first step to noticing a change. But a change isn’t necessarily a red flag for cancer.”

For example, lumps that are smooth, soft and compressible are often cysts, especially in younger women. Your provider will likely still recommend further testing, like a breast ultrasound, to be certain.

“The most important thing isn’t memorizing what a breast cancer lump feels like,” Dr. Khatri emphasizes. “It’s knowing what your breasts normally feel like, so you’ll recognize when something changes.”