Breast Lumps (In Women) »
What are causes of breast lumps?
There are many causes of breast lumps. Some of
these causes are harmless, while others can be painful and/or dangerous. Causes
of breast lumps include infections, injuries, non-cancerous growths, and cancer.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in women in the United States. Currently, death rates from
breast cancer are declining. The decline in death rates may be due to a
combination of earlier detection and better screening as well as improved
treatments. While most breast lumps are harmless (benign), every breast lump
should be evaluated by a doctor to exclude or establish a diagnosis of cancer.
Picture of the anatomy of the breast
Infections that cause breast lumps
Infections of the breast are known as mastitis. Mastitis is especially common in women who are
breastfeeding a baby (lactating). When the skin of the nipple (areola) is injur...
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