I have felt a lump in my breast — what comes next?
The steps from the first examination to the pathology result, how long each takes and at which point the decision is made.
First, know this
Most lumps that can be felt in the breast are benign. Under the age of forty in particular, fibroadenomas and cysts are far more common than cancer. Even so, which is which cannot be settled by hand examination alone.
The right response is therefore neither panic nor waiting. An appointment within a week usually ends what would otherwise be months of worry.
The process step by step
Both breasts and the armpits are examined by hand. When the lump was noticed, whether it has changed size, how it relates to your cycle and your family history are all recorded. This consultation takes 15–20 minutes.
Ultrasound at a young age; mammography and ultrasound together over forty. In most centres this can be done the same day. Whether the lump is fluid or solid becomes clear at this stage.
A needle sample is taken from lumps that look suspicious on imaging. It is done under local anaesthesia, takes about 15 minutes and is usually not painful. You go home the same day.
The sample is examined in the pathology laboratory. The result usually arrives within 3–7 days. If cancer is found, hormone receptor and HER2 status are reported in the same document.
We read the result together. If it is benign, a follow-up plan is made; if cancer is found, we set the order of surgery and, where needed, oncological treatment.
When nothing is delayed, the whole process is completed within one to two weeks. That interval is not a delay that changes the outcome of treatment — postponing for months is a different matter.
Findings that should not wait
- A hard lump with unclear borders that does not move under the fingers
- Dimpling, thickening or orange-peel texture of the skin over the lump
- New inward pulling of the nipple, or crusting that does not heal
- Spontaneous, one-sided, bloody discharge from the nipple
- A firm area in the armpit that does not settle
- Redness, warmth and swelling of the breast outside breastfeeding
Bring any previous mammogram, ultrasound and MRI images with you. Comparison with an earlier scan often says more than a new one on its own.
The content on this site is for general information and does not replace an examination by a physician. If you have symptoms, please book an appointment.
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