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Benign breast lumps Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about benign breast lumps

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can men get a benign breast lump?

Yes, men can get a benign breast lump.

Explanation

Both men and women have breast tissue that develops while they are still in the womb (uterus), before they are born. In men, an increase in the hormone testosterone after puberty stops the breast tissue developing. In women, the hormone oestrogen causes the breasts to grow and develop into lobules.

Gynaecomastia is a condition in men where the breast tissue grows and a lump may be felt in the breast behind the nipple. It can be caused by changes in hormone levels, such as during puberty and as you get older, but it can also be caused by certain medicines and ill health.

If you're a man and notice a change in the look or feel in the area around your breast, see your GP as soon as possible. He or she may be able to tell you if you have gynaecomastia and may refer you to a specialist breast clinic to have further tests.

The type of test that you need will depend on the type of breast lump you have. Often blood tests are all that is necessary. Your doctor may also want to take a biopsy, which is a small sample of tissue. This will be sent to a laboratory for testing to determine the type of cells and if these are benign (not cancerous) or cancerous.

Gynaecomastia can be a symptom of other conditions, so your doctor may also want to examine your testicles, neck and abdomen (tummy). He or she may also ask you to have further tests to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Most men don't need any treatment for gynaecomastia but you may be given medicines to reduce tenderness and swelling. Surgery may be used to improve the cosmetic appearance of gynaecomastia but only when there is no treatable cause.

Further information

Sources

  • Gynaecomastia. Breast Cancer Care. www.breastcancercare.org.uk, accessed 16 March 2009
  • Personal communication, Mr R Douglas Macmillan, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Nottingham Breast Institute, 2 March 2009
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Are there lifestyle and diet changes that I can make to reduce my chance of getting a benign breast lump?

There isn't much reliable evidence that lifestyle and diet changes will increase or decrease your chance of getting a benign breast lump. However, making healthy lifestyle choices will benefit your overall health, and make it less likely you will develop some diseases.

Explanation

Lifestyle and diet choices you make such as smoking, the amount of exercise you do, or the amount of fat you eat, aren't thought to increase or decrease your risk of getting a benign breast lump.

Some factors that have been shown to increase your risk of getting certain types of benign breast lumps are things that you can't control, such as your age when you reach the menopause, or if you have children when you're older.

There is some evidence that being a healthy weight and doing regular exercise may reduce your risk of developing a benign breast lump.

Although there is no evidence to show that your risk of getting a benign breast lump is increased if you smoke, smoking has been shown to cause other diseases such as cancer. If you smoke, try to stop.

If you would like more information on healthy changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle, visit your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Wu C, Ray RM, Lin MG et al. A case-control study of risk factors for fibrocystic breast conditions. Am J Epidemiol 2004; 160:945-60. http://aje.oxfordjournals.org
  • Statistics on smoking: England. The Information Centre, NHS. 2007. www.ic.nhs.uk
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I've just reached the menopause. Will my breasts change because of this?

When you reach the menopause, you may find that any lumps and/or pain that you had before the menopause go away. However, some women find that their breasts feel more lumpy than they did before the menopause.

Explanation

Menopause is the point when your periods stop for good. It's a natural part of ageing for women (the average age of reaching the menopause is 52), and it means that you will no longer be able to have a baby.

As you get older, you may notice changes in the way your breasts feel. Changes in your hormone levels can sometimes make your breasts feel more dense and tender, even when you're not having a period.

Common changes to your breasts as you get older include the following.

  • Growths inside your nipple that look like warts. This is called intraductal papilloma and can be removed by surgery without changing the way your breast looks.
  • Ducts beneath your nipple can become swollen and clogged. This is called duct ectasia. It can be painful and you may get a discharge from your nipple. The problem is treated with antibiotics, but sometimes surgery is needed to remove the swollen duct.

Some women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when they reach the menopause. HRT can help with some of the symptoms of the menopause, and can also help prevent osteoporosis. HRT isn't suitable for all women, so if you're thinking of taking HRT when you reach the menopause, check with your GP whether it's a suitable treatment for you.

If you don't take HRT, your hormone levels drop and your breast tissue becomes less dense and more fatty. This means that you and/or your GP are more likely to find any breast changes or early breast cancer, and X-ray images of your breasts (mammograms) will be easier to read.

The NHS runs a free National Breast Screening Programme, where all women in the UK aged 50 to 70 are invited for breast screening (mammography) every three years.

If you're worried about your breasts, or notice any changes in them, contact your GP immediately for advice.

Further information

Sources

  • Menopause - background information. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 6 May 2008
  • Understanding breast changes: a health guide for women. National Cancer Institute. www.cancer.gov, accessed 2 May 2008
  • Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, et al. Oxford textbook of medicine. 4th ed. Vol 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:476-78
  • NHS Breast Screening Programme. NHS. www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk, accessed 25 April 2008
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Benign breast lumps factsheet

 

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