What Are the Causes of Breast Lumps?
Breast lumps can stem from innocent causes such as injury, infections or benign growths. The infection can be resolved with medical intervention and, if it is bacterial, antibiotics. If the cause is an injury, the woman should speak to her doctor, but the injury should resolve. Noncancerous lumps (cysts or fibroids) can be diagnosed by her doctor. If she has a cancerous lump, she will have to have it removed.
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Infections
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A breast lump can be caused by several things, one of which is infection of the breast. One such infection is mastitis, which is common in breast-feeding and lactating women. The bacteria enters her breast through a cracked nipple or areola. A clogged milk duct can be another cause of mastitis; if the plug is not expressed, it will progress to an infection. Another cause of breast infection is a deep pocket of pus that grows deep down into the breast. Cellulitis spreads out throughout the breast, causing an area of redness and inflammation. If a woman receives a breast piercing and the equipment was not sanitized, she can develop a difficult-to-treat infection in the breast.
Injury
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If a woman suffers an injury to her breast, a hematoma or blood clot can develop in her breast. This will be felt as a lump. Fat necrosis (death) of the cells in the breast can result from trauma as well. The damaged fat cells will form a lump inside the breast as well. These lumps are noncancerous but can cause concern and pain to the woman.
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Benign Growths
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One noncancerous growth is the fibrocyst. These grow in response to hormonal changes in the woman's body. These lumps have an almost grainy feel to them when they are manipulated. A woman with a fibrocyst may feel pain.
Cancer
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Sometimes a breast lump will prove to be cancerous. The woman will need to visit her doctor so she can have the lump examined (i.e., mammogram, biopsy) to determine if it is cancerous. If it is, and she caught the lump early, her chance of survival is much higher. Some symptoms can include breast dimpling, breast asymmetry or a nipple discharge.
Fibroids/Cysts
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Fibroedemas are noncancerous fibroid growths that a woman can experience--these can grow in teenage girls as well as women expecting a baby. Women between the ages of 30 to 35 can also develop fibroids. These are usually painless or tender to touch. Breast cysts are tiny sacs filled with fluid within the breast. They are noncancerous and occur most commonly in women over 35. They are tender to the touch and may vary in size during her menstrual cycle.
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