Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the breast lump.For specific treatment information, see the article on the specific disease.

The long-term outlook depends on the type of problem. See the specific condition for detailed information.

Call your health care provider if you find a new, unusual, or changing lump during your breast self-examination.

Also call for an appointment if you are a woman:

• 40 or older who has never had a baseline mammogram
• 35 or older with a mother or sister who have had breast cancer, or a personal history of breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer
• 25 or older, and you are not sure how to perform a breast self-examination

Images

Female breast

Normal female breast anatomy

Causes of breast lumps

Review Date: 08/24/2009
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)