Treatment of a breast lump depends on the cause. Solid breast lumps are often removed surgically, or at least a biopsy is taken. The biopsy is to check whether it is cancerous or not. Cysts can be drained. Breast infections require antibiotics.

For fibrocystic changes, birth control pills are often helpful. Other women are helped by:

• Avoiding caffeine and chocolate.
• Taking vitamin E, vitamin B complex, or evening primrose oil supplements.
• Limiting fat and increasing fiber in the diet.

If breast cancer is diagnosed, most women receive a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. These options would be carefully assessed and thoroughly discussed with your doctor.

Call your doctor if:

• You find a new breast lump during your monthly self-exam
• You have bruising on your breast but did not experience any injury
• You have nipple discharge, especially if bloody or pinkish (blood tinged)
• The skin on your breast appears dimpled or wrinkled (like the peel of an orange)
• Your nipple is inverted (turned inward) but normally is not inverted

Also call if:

• You are a woman, age 20 or older, and want guidance on how to perform a breast self-examination
• You are a woman over age 40 and have not had a mammogram in the past year

Your doctor will obtain a complete history from you, with special attention to factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. A thorough breast examination will be performed. If you don't know how to perform breast self-examination, ask your health care provider to teach you the proper method.

Medical history questions regarding breast lumps include:

• When and how did you first notice the lump?
• Do you have other symptoms such as pain, nipple discharge, or fever?
• Where is the lump located?
• Do you do self-breast exams and is this lump a recent change?
• Have you had any type of injury to your breast?
• Are you taking any hormones, medications, or supplements?

Tests that may be performed include:

• Study of nipple discharge under the microscope
• Needle aspiration of a cyst with examination of the fluid under a microscope
• Biopsy of the lump
• Ultrasound to see if the lump is solid or cystic
• Mammogram

If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may also suggest testing for genes that predispose you to breast cancer.

Breast cancer screening is an important way to find breast cancer early, when it is most easily treated and cured:

• If you are over age 20, consider doing a monthly breast self-exam. See breast self exam. Talk to your provider about the pros and cons.
• If you are over age 20, have a complete breast exam by your provider at least every 3 years -- every year if you are over 40.
• If you are over age 40, get a yearly screening mammogram.

The American Cancer Society distributes a booklet demonstrating how to do self-breast exams.

Having fibrocystic breast tissue, mastitis, or breast tenderness related to PMS does NOT put you at greater risk for breast cancer. Having fibrocystic breasts does, however, make your self-exam more confusing since there are many normal lumps and bumps.

To prevent breast cancer:

• Exercise regularly
• Reduce fat intake
• Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and other high fiber foods
• Limit alcoholic beverages to no more than 1 to 1.5 per day.

Marchant DJ. Benign breast disease. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2002; 29(1): 1-20.

Klein S. Evaluation of palpable breast masses. Am Fam Physician. 2005; 71(9): 1731-1738.