I found a lump. What should I do now?

Finding a lump in your breast can be frightening. For a moment, your mind may go everywhere with questions.

Is it cancer? What if it is serious? Should I wait and see if it goes away? Who should I talk to? These questions are all valid, but first, take a breath.

A breast lump does not automatically mean cancer. There are many possible causes of breast changes, and only a qualified healthcare professional can determine what a particular change means. But there is one thing you should not do, which is ignore the signs because you’re afraid of what it might be.

Your first step is not to diagnose yourself.

It can be tempting to search online to find out what a lump means, but your body cannot be diagnosed through a search engine.

A healthcare professional can assess the change and determine whether further examination or diagnostic tests are needed. That might include imaging or other investigations depending on your age, symptoms and individual circumstances.The purpose of this is not to frighten you, but to help you understand what is happening.

What should you look out for?

A breast change can take different forms. It may be a lump or thickening. It may involve a change in the size or shape of the breast, changes to the skin or nipple, or unusual discharge.

It is worth mentioning that some changes are not cancer, but a new or unusual change deserves attention.

Don’t let fear decide for you.

Sometimes we avoid seeing a doctor because we are afraid of what they might tell us. Avoiding the conversation does not change what is happening in your body. Getting checked gives you information, which allows you to make informed decisions about your health.

If you’re reading this because you’re worried

You may be a young woman who has never thought about breast cancer, or a mother who does not have time to get sick or even someone who has already experienced cancer in your family.

Wherever you are in your journey, your concern is worth taking seriously. At OncAura, healthcare should begin with listening, understanding what you are experiencing and helping you take the appropriate next step.

You don’t have to know what the lump means; you need to take the next step and get it checked. Your health is worth the conversation.