Finding a  breast lump can be a scary thing. For many women, the immediate worry is that it could be cancer. The most important thing is to get it checked by your doctor as soon as possible- that way, if it’s benign (non-cancerous), as is usually the case, you can stop stressing about it. In the unlikely event that it is breast cancer, you can get the treatment you need as soon as possible- and early treatment makes a big difference. So, what are the different types of breast lumps women get?

Fibroadenomas

These are very common. A fibroadenoma feels like a smooth firm rounded breast lump, that tends to move around under your fingers when pressed. They are usually painless. Women can have one fibroadenoma, or several fibroadenomas scattered throughout their breasts. While often presenting as a small pea-sized breast lump, they can become quite large in some women (a few centimetres in diameter). They are non-cancerous (benign). Usually no treatment is needed, though they may be surgically removed if they get very large.

Breast Cysts

A cyst is a fluid filled sac that develops in the breast. These are also very common, and again tend to feel relatively smooth and rounded to touch, though perhaps less firm and less mobile than a fibroadenoma. Sometimes they can be tender to press- the tenderness may change at different points of the menstrual cycle. They are not cancerous, and usually nothing needs to be done about them, though now and then they may be drained by a needle if they are very large.