Breast cancer
This is the most serious cause of a breast lump or swelling. Breast cancer can occur in males as well as female patients. Most breast lumps will require assessment quickly by a clinician, and referral to a hospital-based breast clinic for further scans and assessment.
Breast cancer can also occur in the tissue under your armpit so it is important that we takes lumps in the armpits seriously also.
Breast tissue infections (mastitis)
Mastitis is an infection in the breast tissue with typically occurs in women who are breast feeding, although it can affect anyone.
It often requires antibiotic treatment and therefore should be seen promptly by us.
If you are speaking with these women who are breast feeding, often a concern is whether or not they should continue to breast feed their baby until they get seen. It is important to note that the infection in the breast tissue cannot be passed onto the baby, so there is no reason they would need to stop breast feeding. Breast feeding is encouraged if the mother can tolerate it, as it helps with milk flow and relieving pressure in the breasts.