What should you know about checking your breasts for lumps?

There is no single normal texture. Breast tissue may feel uneven or tender, and its feel can change with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, age, or weight changes. What matters is noticing something that is different for you.

A new lump or area of thickening can occur in the breast, chest, or armpit. Also notice a new difference in breast size or shape, skin dimpling or puckering, persistent redness, a nipple that has newly turned inward, a nipple rash, or discharge that is not usual for you. Ongoing pain in one specific area also deserves attention.

Many breast changes have non-cancerous causes, including cysts, hormonal changes, and infection. Breast cancer can present with a lump or another breast change, so appearance or touch alone cannot identify the cause.

Choose a setting where you can look and feel comfortably, such as in front of a mirror, in the shower, or lying down. Look with your arms relaxed and then raised. Check each breast and nipple, the tissue up to the collarbone, and each armpit.

Use the flat parts of your fingers and a consistent pattern so you cover the whole area. Apply light and firmer pressure without pressing hard enough to hurt. The aim is familiarity, not diagnosing yourself. If you menstruate and your breasts vary through the cycle, comparing them at a similar point in the cycle may make a new change easier to recognise.

Arrange a medical assessment promptly if you find a new lump, swelling, thickening, or any breast, nipple, skin, or armpit change that is unusual for you. Do not wait for pain to develop or try to decide the cause by feel. A clinician may examine the area and decide whether imaging or another test is needed.

Seek urgent medical care if the breast becomes red, hot, swollen, and painful and you also have fever or feel significantly unwell, because these features may indicate an infection needing timely treatment.

You may want to ask what could explain the change, whether an ultrasound or mammogram is appropriate, and how you will receive the results. Mention when you first noticed it, whether it changes with your menstrual cycle, and any pregnancy, breastfeeding, medicines, previous breast problems, or family history that may help guide the assessment.