Don’t panic if you find a lump - most changes to the breast are harmless and do not automatically mean that you have cancer.

Nevertheless, you should act quickly.  If the lump is cancerous, the sooner it is diagnosed, the faster you can begin treatment to remove it.

The first thing to do is to go and see your GP.  A combination of tests is generally used to make a definitive diagnosis and this is often called a triple assessment.

Ultimately a comprehensive diagnosis involves the removal of some of the suspicious cells and their examination under a microscope.  Looking at the cells in question will allow your cancer team to identify and characterise your particular cancer and be able to plan the best course of treatment for you.

For more information on tests such as fine needle aspiration, please visit the Tests section in the 'Cancer explained' topic.

02/06/2009