In female breast cancer, lumps are usually found near the armpit. In male breast cancer, lumps are usually found near the nipple. Most lumps in the breast are noncancerous, but it’s still important to seek medical attention if you find one.
Finding a breast lump is cause for concern, but it may help to know that most breast lumps aren’t cancerous.
In fact, around 80% of breast biopsies are benign and reveal that a person doesn’t have breast cancer.
For those who do have breast cancer, the most common location of the primary tumor is the upper outer quadrant of the breast. Of course, breast cancer can start anywhere there’s breast tissue.
Read on to learn more about where breast cancer lumps are found and what to do if you find one.
Language matters
We use “women” and “men” in this article to reflect the terms that have been historically used to gender people. However, your gender identity may not align with how your body may respond to breast cancer.
A doctor can better help you understand your individual risk for breast cancer and how to proceed if you develop a breast lump.
According to a
It may help to visualize each breast as a clock with the nipple at the center. Facing your right breast, the upper outer quadrant is in the 9:00 o’clock to 12:00 o’clock position. Facing your left breast, the upper outer quadrant is in the 12:00 o’clock to 3:00 o’clock position.
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The reason more breast cancer lumps occur in the upper outer quadrant isn’t clear, but the area does have a lot of glandular tissue.
A 2019 study analyzed data on women who’d been diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2013. The researchers found that those with tumors located near the periphery of the breast (including the upper outer quadrant) had better outcomes than those with tumors located near the nipple.
More women than men get breast cancer, but everyone has some breast tissue, and anyone can get breast cancer.
Men usually only have small amounts of breast tissue in the area under or around the nipple. As a result, breast cancer lumps in men are usually located near the nipple.
The upper outer quadrant and the nipple aren’t the only places breast cancer can start, though.
Parts of the breast
The breasts are made up of connective tissue, glands, ducts, and fat.
Breast tissue takes up a large area. It covers the pectoral muscles and extends from the breastbone to the armpit and up to the collarbone.
In women, each breast has
All cancers start when cells begin to grow out of control, which can happen in any part of the breast.
Most breast cancers begin in the ducts. Cancer that begins in the ducts is also known as invasive ductal carcinoma.
Breast cancer can occur just under the skin or deep within the breast near the chest wall, where it’s difficult to feel.
Cysts are fluid-filled lumps or bumps that can appear anywhere under the skin, including within the breast. In breast cysts, fluid fills the lobules.
Breast cysts are typically located in the upper outer quadrant or the central margins (in the middle, close to the nipple).
Breast cysts are usually benign and may not require treatment unless their size or presence bothers you. Simple cysts, which are only filled with fluid, do not increase your risk of developing breast cancer, according to the
Breast cancer lumps have certain characteristics that may differentiate them from noncancerous lumps.
Keep in mind that these are generalizations. A lump is not something you should try to diagnose on your own. Doctors can’t always tell by touch alone, either.
Here are some signs that a breast lump may be cancerous:
- It doesn’t hurt.
- It’s firm or hard.
- It’s bumpy.
- It has irregular edges.
- You can’t move it with your fingers.
- It’s growing or changing.
Having one or more of these characteristics does not mean you have breast cancer.
Breast cancer lumps can sometimes present very differently. They can be soft, moveable, and painful. They can also occur anywhere on the chest or armpit.
Cancerous breast lumps are similar for people with female breast cancer and people with male breast cancer.
A breast lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer. However, breast cancer can also appear as an area of thickened tissue or skin rather than a distinguishable lump. Some types of breast cancer, such as inflammatory breast cancer, may not cause a lump at all.
Statistics from the
That’s why it’s important to have a doctor examine lumps that develop anywhere on your chest or underarm.
Noncancerous, or benign, breast disease is more common among women than breast cancer.
There are many kinds of breast disorders, many of which present with a breast lump.
Here are some signs that a breast lump may not be cancerous:
- It’s tender or it hurts.
- It feels soft or rubbery.
- It’s smooth and round.
- You can easily move it using the pads of your fingers.
- It’s getting smaller.
What to do if you feel a lump
Finding a breast lump can be upsetting, even if you know that most breast lumps aren’t cancerous. Because breast cancer is easier to treat before it spreads, it’s important to seek a diagnosis.
Here’s what to do if you feel a lump:
- See a doctor: First things first, call a primary care medical professional or gynecologist if you have one. If you don’t have a doctor you see regularly, contact a doctor’s office or clinic in your area. Make it clear that you’ve found a lump in your breast and you need a clinical exam.
- Keep in mind that a physical examination may not give you the answer: The doctor may also need to order a mammogram, an ultrasound, or an MRI. That doesn’t mean you have breast cancer.
- Try to remain calm: Remind yourself there’s a good chance that the lump is benign. You’re being proactive and doing the right thing by having it checked out.
- Follow up with the doctor’s office or clinic: Contact the doctor’s office or clinic to get your test results, understand what they mean, and find out what your next steps are.
- Prioritize your own health: Be persistent and diligent — if you can’t get an appointment or your concerns aren’t fully addressed, seek out another doctor.
In women, breast cancer lumps are usually found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. In men, they’re usually found near the nipple.
Regardless of gender, breast cancer can start anywhere there’s breast tissue, from the breastbone to the armpit to the collarbone.
Most breast lumps turn out to be something other than breast cancer. Even so, localized female breast cancer is highly treatable.
Based on data collected between 2012 and 2018, localized female breast cancer has an overall 5-year relative survival rate of
You can help catch breast cancer before it spreads by familiarizing yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. One way to do this, particularly if you have a higher-than-average breast cancer risk, is to perform a breast self-exam. If you discover a lump or notice other changes in the way your breasts look or feel, contact a doctor right away.
At your appointment, you should learn about recommendations for screening, your personal risk factors, and other breast cancer warning signs.