Found a breast lump? Causes, the GP appointment and what the breast clinic does

Are most breast lumps harmless?

The NHS says most breast lumps are not cancer. Common causes include fibroadenomas, which are solid benign lumps, and cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs. Sometimes a breast lump can be a sign of something more serious, such as breast cancer.

When should you see a GP?

The NHS advises contacting a GP about any lump in the breast or armpit. The NHS also advises seeing a GP about other changes to the breast that are unusual for you. A new lump is worth getting checked even if it is painless. NHS 111 Wales advises seeing a GP rather than trying to work out the cause of a lump yourself. The NHS lists a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, skin dimpling or redness, and a change in the size or shape of a breast among the symptoms to have checked. Nipple discharge, which may be bloody, and nipple changes such as inversion or a rash are also listed. Having one of these symptoms does not definitely mean breast cancer, but the NHS says it is important to have it checked by a GP.

What happens at the GP appointment?

NHS 111 Wales says the GP may ask about any breast screening you have had and whether anyone in your family has had breast cancer. The GP then examines the breasts. If the GP is not sure what is causing the lump, they refer the person to a breast clinic at a hospital.

How is an urgent referral decided?

In England, NICE guidance on suspected cancer sets out who should be offered an urgent referral to a breast clinic. An urgent referral in England aims for an appointment at the breast clinic within two weeks. Referral guidance can differ between the UK nations.

What does the breast clinic do?

Tests at a breast clinic usually include an examination of the breasts and an imaging scan, usually a mammogram or an ultrasound. Sometimes a biopsy is taken, in which a needle removes a small sample of cells from the lump. Some results may be available on the same day, while others, such as a biopsy, can take one to two weeks.

How can breasts be checked at home?

The NHS has a page on how to check your breasts or chest, so that a person knows how they normally look and feel. Its guidance describes looking in a mirror with the arms at the sides and then raised, and feeling each breast along with the area up to the collarbone and under the armpit. The NHS says to contact a GP about any change, including a new lump.