A lump cannot be confirmed as cancerous by appearance alone
A lump that is hard, fixed, irregular, or rapidly growing is more concerning
A lump that is painless does not rule out cancer
A lump that persists longer than 2 to 4 weeks should be checked
A lump that keeps getting bigger should be evaluated
A lump with skin changes, redness, dimpling, ulceration, or warmth should be assessed
A lump with nipple discharge, bleeding, or unexplained bruising should be checked
A lump with unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, or fatigue is concerning
A lump in the breast, neck, armpit, groin, testicle, or abdomen should be examined promptly
A lump that causes trouble swallowing, breathing, or moving should be treated urgently
A lump that is new and appears without injury or infection should be evaluated
A lump that returns after being removed should be checked
A lump that is associated with enlarged lymph nodes should be assessed
A doctor may use an exam, imaging, and biopsy to determine if it is cancerous
Seek prompt medical evaluation for any lump that is new, persistent, or changing