Identifying Breast Lumps: 8 Non-Cancer Causes of Breast Lumps

“Is it cancer?” is what most people think when they discover a lump in their breast. But, did you know, not all breast lumps are cancerous? In fact, the American Cancer Society reported that four out of five biopsies of breast lumps are benign, harmless and surely not breast cancer.

The more common non-cancer causes of breast lumps are:

1. Breast cysts- a fluid-filled sac that’s usually benign
2. Fibroadenoma- a solid, benign mass that is most common in young women
3. Fibrocystic breasts- lumpy or rope-like breast tissue
4. Injury or trauma to the breast
5. Intraductal papilloma- a benign, wart-like growth in a milk duct
6. Lipoma- a slow-growing lump made up of fatty tissue
7. Mastitis- an infection in breast tissue that most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding
8. Milk cyst (galactocele)- a milk-filled cyst that’s usually harmless

Knowing your body and being aware of how your breasts normally look and feel can help determine any new changes such as an increase in size or change in shape. If there are changes you are concerned about, let your doctor know. They will take more steps to find out what it is.