What does a “lump” feel like?

Did you know that half of women surveyed didn’t know what a cancerous lump feels like? We’ve all been told to “feel for a lump” but if we don’t know it means something that’s usually hard and immovable then it’s difficult to find!

A suspicious lump is often hard and immovable, just like a lemon seed. The rest of your breast is likely full of little normal bumps, with milk lobes feeling like soft peas or squishy grapes that can move around when pushed a little. Sometimes parts of your breast can be swollen or sore before and during your period, but this is normal.

The breast is a changing part of the body that can swell and turn tender close to menstration. Breasts are most likely to be “normal” a few days after the end of your period—a time to become familiar with your unique anatomy and feel and look for anything unusual. With age, the breast tissue turns from muscle to fat, making mammography posssible. Mammography helps to detect smaller lumps before ?ngers can.

A lump is not the only sign, so don’t be afraid to report anything strange. When breast cancer is detected in early stages, cure rates exceed 90%.

Breast Anatomy: understand what you are feeling.

For when, how and why to do a self-exam, go to Screening Steps and Investigate at Home next on the list.