Finding a lump in your breast is always scary, but it’s more than likely nothing to worry about. Although breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found during pregnancy, it's still very rare (especially if you’re under 35), according to the American Cancer Society.[1]
What's more, the many changes that are happening to your breasts while you’re expecting can cause them to feel more lumpy, heavy, and firm than you might be used to.
In fact, there are a number of reasons you might discover a breast lump during pregnancy. Breast lumps may turn out to be benign cysts, though if you’re in your second or third trimester, the most likely explanation is actually a clogged milk duct.
Here’s what to do if you discover a breast lump while you're pregnant, plus some of the other breast changes you may experience during the next nine months.
How should you check for a breast lump?
A breast lump is a bump or bulge of swelling tissue. The lump might protrude from your breast, or you might notice it by feeling your breasts.
The American Cancer Society doesn’t recommend routine breast self-exams if you’re at average risk for breast cancer. Research hasn’t shown a clear benefit, and it led to more invasive biopsies for lumps that turned out to be harmless. That said, being familiar with your breasts — what’s normal, what’s lumpy, what changes with your cycle — is still smart.[2]
That’s where “breast self-awareness” comes in. It just means knowing what's normal for you, so you can spot something new or unusual and flag it to your doctor. This is especially helpful during pregnancy and postpartum, when your breasts are changing a lot. And take a breath: Most lumps during this time are completely benign.
As you’re checking in with your body, know this: Cancerous lumps usually aren’t red or painful at first, like a clogged milk duct can be. They also don’t go away with warm compresses and massage. Things worth mentioning to your provider include a new lump, skin thickening or dimpling, redness, scaling, or pain in one specific spot that doesn’t improve.
Breast cancer during pregnancy is rare, but it can happen. If you notice something that feels off, don’t wait until after delivery to get it checked. The workup is the same as it is for non-pregnant women, and if you need a mammogram, the radiation exposure is considered safe for your baby. Pregnancy can make breast tissue denser and trickier to read, but accurate testing is absolutely possible — and important.[3]
Possible causes for a breast lump found during pregnancy
Breast lumps that appear during pregnancy are most often a clogged milk duct, otherwise known as a galactocele. As early as the second trimester, your breasts are preparing to nurse your baby, and a milk duct can get blocked — and enlarged — in the process. Clogged milk ducts are usually hard, sometimes red, lumps that are tender to the touch and tend to clear up after a few days (they may continue to clog this same way when you’re lactating).
What to Expect Community parent jess2020- noticed a change in her breasts early in pregnancy. “When I was 6 weeks pregnant the same thing happened to me. It happened to be an abscess due to a clogged milk duct.”
The good news: These irritating lumps are your body’s way of preparing to nourish your baby — and if you choose to breastfeed, studies have shown it may reduce your risk of breast cancer later in life.[4]
Other causes of breast masses found during pregnancy can include:
- Fibroadenoma. These non-proliferative growths contain benign cells that usually shrink on their own, are removed surgically, or drained of fluid with a needle.
- Simple cyst. These are fluid-filled masses that can be palpated as a normal component of fibrocystic changes or due to other reactive breast changes.
- Breast abscess or infection (mastitis). This type of mass causes localized pain and redness of the breast, in addition to fever and just generally feeling bad.
- Skin changes. There are many dermatologic conditions that are common when expecting that affect the skin of the breast, such as shingles, eczema, and PUPPS.
- Breast atypia or cancer. Thankfully, these are very rare.
Fortunately for most women, breast changes in pregnancy and while breastfeeding tend to be benign, and nearly all of the breast lump types and changes you may experience aren’t associated with a higher risk of breast cancer later in life.
What happens if you find a lump in your breast during pregnancy?
If your doctor determines that the lump is likely due to a clogged duct, apply a warm compress regularly (or run hot water on it in the shower) and massage the area, which should help unclog the buildup. If the lump doesn’t clear up or gets worse, check with your doctor to ensure it’s not infected.
When something feels off (like a breast lump), head to the What to Expect app for expert guidance, week-by-week tracking, and a group of like-minded moms who also wonder about their changing mammaries.
What other breast changes might you experience during pregnancy?
Along with lumps and plugged milk ducts, you may notice these other breast changes in pregnancy:
- Pointy nipples. Your nipples may stick out more than before, and this protrusion can make them feel tender and tingly.
- Fuller breasts. Surging hormones can cause your breasts to grow, swell, and feel heavy.
- Darker areolas. This area around your nipple may enlarge, darken, or become spotted. Your areola may also sprout Montgomery tubercles, oil glands that supply lubrication.
- Your veins. A web of blue veins may appear just below the breast’s skin surface. Veiny breasts may be genetic and are more common in breasts with augmentation surgery or that are large.
- Discharge. Leaky breasts are a normal part of pregnancy. Sometimes the discharge is watery, though it might also be thick, sticky, and yellowish late in pregnancy.
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