FAQ Overview

After normal fine needle aspiration, what should a woman do if the lump persists or new lumps arise?

Consult your doctor immediately.

I have very lumpy breasts. How can I tell what a cancerous lump feels like?

It is not the responsibility of the woman undertaking BSE to decide whether a swelling is cancerous or not. Your doctor will instruct you on how to carry out BSE and there are instruction leaflets available from the NSW Breast Cancer Institute. If you examine your breasts regularly the important thing is to report any change to your doctor who will arrange any appropriate investigations. It would also be wise to supplement your own BSE with a breast check from your doctor at least once a year. If you are over 40 years of age you should visit BreastScreen NSW.

Why do some women, who are under 50 years of age, go to their GP with a lump find that no further investigation is required?

Many women report to the doctor with what they describe as a ‘lump’ in the breast. Very frequently an experienced doctor can offer reassurance to a woman that there is no discreet swelling and that she is either feeling normal breast tissue or tissue which is the seat of minor inflammation often referred to as chronic mastitis or fibrocystic disease. These do not always merit further investigation. That is why it is so important for a woman to undertake regular BSE – not to search for tumours but to become familiar with the texture of the breast which is normal for her. The woman practicing BSE is looking for a change in that texture and any change should be reported immediately to her doctor.

Is it true that once you have a cyst in the breast there is also a possibility that you will have a tumour in the ovary?

As a generalisation the answer is ‘No’. Some women are known to have a genetic cause of their breast cancer. Sometimes both ovarian and breast cancer can occur in these families. Speak to your doctor who can refer you to a cancer genetics service.

I have developed an inverted nipple which has been x-rayed and examined and pronounced OK. How often should this be checked out? I am concerned about the relationship between the inverted nipple and breast cancer.

Retraction of the nipple can occur for a variety of reasons including cancer lying behind the nipple and areola. Life long nipple retraction can occur for many women. If your doctor is satisfied that there is no abnormality to be felt and mammography and ultrasound are normal then the chance is that there is a sinister cause for the nipple becoming inverted is less then 1 in 100. If after a series of 3 monthly checks by your doctor the appearances have not altered then you can continue to monitor your own breast by practicing breast self examination (BSE). Your doctor will instruct you on how to perform BSE. There are also instruction leaflets available from the NSW Breast Cancer Institute. If, when performing BSE, you become concerned at any time that a change has occurred you should consult your doctor immediately. If you are aged over 40 you should visit BreastScreen NSW.