Breast pain, lumps and other changes

Overview

Breast symptoms include pain, a new lump, swelling, nipple discharge and changes in skin or shape. Many causes are not cancer, but a new lump needs medical assessment. Neither tenderness nor a previous benign finding can establish what a new change means.

Pain may vary with the menstrual cycle or occur independently. It can affect one area or feel more widespread. Tell a clinician about associated changes, including a newly inverted nipple, dimpling or discharge, rather than discussing the pain in isolation.

By telephone

A telephone discussion can establish what you have noticed and help decide the urgency of an in-person assessment. Explain when the change began, whether it is progressing and whether you have fever, redness or swelling. Mention pregnancy, breastfeeding and relevant previous breast investigations.

You can use the conversation to clarify an existing referral or questions about an earlier result. Keep the original report available if possible. Describe what has changed since that assessment, because an old reassuring result does not automatically account for a different or newly persistent symptom.

What cannot be done remotely

A phone call cannot feel a lump, inspect skin changes or rule out a serious cause. Examination is central to evaluating a new breast concern. Depending on the findings, a breast clinic may use imaging and occasionally a tissue sample.

Do not wait for a routine screening invitation to investigate symptoms. Screening and assessment of a new concern serve different purposes. If you have been advised to attend in person, a further telephone discussion should support that plan rather than postpone the examination.

What to prepare

• Describe the location, duration and nature of the change.
• Mention nipple discharge, altered shape, skin changes or an armpit lump.
• Note any relationship to periods, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Have previous breast reports and details of current medicines available.

Sources

• NHS: breast lumps
• NHS: breast pain