Breasts lumps are something that many women worry about. If a woman feels a lump, she should consider what it could mean and the context that it exists in. If the woman is breast feeding the lump could mean one thing, or if she has a fever it could mean another. Some women can also have problems with engorgement. Engorgement is not normally related to lumps in breast. Engorgement describes the filling of the breast with milk after delivering the baby and when the mother is trying to wean the child. When engorgement occurs, it develops rapidly and tends to affect the entire breast. A lump on breast is usually isolate and not related to having a child. Therefore there is little overlap between painful lumps in breasts and engorgement.

The breasts are a common site malignancies in women. Any sort of lump on breast can frequently provide clues to underlying systemic diseases in both men and women. Because of this an examination of the breast is an essential part of the physical examination for all women and men who are having issues. Unfortunately, many doctors do not frequently examine breasts in men, and in women, they are apt to defer this evaluation to gynecologists or other women’s health professionals. Also, recent evidence has shown that the breast self exam has not been helpful to be taught to patients, which has further confused doctors and patients.

Because of the association between early detection of cancer and improved outcomes, most doctors will try to identify breast abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. Although breast cancer in men is much more unusual, lumps and lesions should be evaluated in the same manner as in women. Virtually all breast cancer is diagnosed by biopsy of the nodule or lesion in question. These do not have to be painful lumps in breasts, they could not be painful at all.

Women can examine their breasts monthly for lumps. A study from China  suggested that teaching the breast self exam for lumps does not alter survival. But since it is safe and costs nothing women can still perform it if they like to try find different lumps before they become and issue. This examination increases the likelihood of detecting a mass at a smaller size. The nipple and area around the nipple should be inspected and felt. An attempt should be made to elicit nipple discharge if possible.

But the examination cannot determine what is going on with a lump. Lesions should be identified with a mammogram and biopsied if they are thought to be suspicious. A normal mammogram in the presence of a persistent lump in the breast does not exclude malignancy. Therefore patients and doctors should continue to have a biopsy to make sure the lump is not dangerous. This entire process can be anxiety provoking for the woman and her family. Most women do not want to have to deal with such issues. But it is important to appropriately manage and diagnose breasts lumps in order to detect and cancers or other serious issues.