Are Most Breast Lumps Benign or Cancerous?

Dr. Love answers the question: 'Are Most Breast Lumps Benign or Cancerous?'

ByABC News
September 28, 2007, 12:23 PM

— -- Question: Are most breast lumps benign or cancerous?

Answer: The majority of breast lumps, particularly in a pre-menopausal woman, are benign. Probably eight out of 10 are benign. As you get older, and certainly after menopause, then it's about 50/50. Half of the breast lumps in women after menopause are cancer, and half are benign. This is because benign breast lumps are chiefly caused by hormones, the kinds that cycle with your menstrual period.

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