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Early detection of a breast lump is very important to your prognosis (probable outcome). Also, remember that most breast lumps are not diagnosed at the doctor's office. They are detected by women who give themselves breast self-examinations at home. All breast lumps that persist beyond a few days must be reported to your doctor.

In some cases, a needle aspiration of a breast lump can be performed. If the tissue obtained is clearly not cancerous (if blood wasn't seen on the aspirator, or if the lump disappears after aspiration and does not recur), physicians will often simply observe patients. Otherwise, the breast lump must be removed surgically to determine if cancer is present.


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