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Medical Reviewer:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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When to Seek Medical Care

Call your health care provider as soon as you feel any suspicious lump. You should also consult your doctor if you detect a significant change while doing a monthly breast self-exam.

• Breast lumps ideally should be checked about one week after your period starts. Fibrocystic changes in the breast are usually irregular and mobile, and you may find more than one lump. Cancerous tumors are usually hard and firm and do not typically move a great deal.
  
  
• Call your health care provider if you experience the following:
  
  
  • You have any abnormal discharge from your nipples.
    
    
  • Breast pain is making it difficult for you to function each day.
    
    
  • You have prolonged, unexplained breast pain.
    
    
  • You have any other associated symptoms that you are worried about. You should see a doctor if you experience any changes in your breasts.
    
    
    • Redness
      
      
    • Swelling
      
      
    • Pain, especially pain that interferes with nursing
      
      
    • Drainage from the nipple
      
      
    • A mass or tender lump in the breast that does not disappear after nursing
      
      
    • Changes in the skin
      
      
    • Any of these symptoms with or without fever
      
      
  • If you are breastfeeding, you should call your doctor if you develop any symptoms of breast infection so that treatment may be started promptly.