Why does my 12 year old have a lump in her breast?

A lump in a 12-year-old's breast is very common and usually a normal sign of puberty (a breast bud), but it could also be a fibroadenoma (a benign growth), cyst, or due to trauma; while most are harmless, it's important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, especially if it's painful, red, warm, or accompanied by fever.

Is it normal to have a lump in your breast at 12?

Normal Breast Buds with Onset of Puberty (age 8 or older)

Breast buds are normal, small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple. Age: they normally occur in 8 to 12 year old girls. They are the first sign of puberty.

What is a breast lump in puberty for girls?

For teen girls, the most common type of breast lump is usually just part of normal breast growth. Lots of girls and women have something called fibrocystic breast changes. This is when small fluid-filled cysts in the breasts change size based on where a girl is in her menstrual cycle.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer in teenage girls?

While breast cancer is rare in teenage girls, symptoms to watch for include a new breast lump or armpit lump, breast swelling, skin changes (redness, dimpling, rash), nipple changes (inversion, discharge like blood or clear fluid), or a change in breast size/shape, especially if persistent or accompanied by pain not related to periods, redness, or unusual discharge. Most breast lumps in teens are benign (noncancerous) hormonal changes, but any persistent changes warrant a doctor's visit. 

What were the first signs your child had cancer?

Early Childhood Cancer Signs

• Unexplained Weight Loss. Children may lose weight during illnesses like the flu but also because of cancer. ...
• Fatigue and Paleness. Constant fatigue, weakness, and paleness may indicate anemia. ...
• Persistent Pain. ...
• Frequent Infections. ...
• Hard & Swollen Tummy. ...
• Small Red Dots. ...
• Vision Changes. ...
• Headaches.

First with Kids: Breast lumps in children and teens

What is the first red flag of breast cancer?

The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump or mass. It is usually hard, painless, and has uneven edges. Some lumps, however, can be soft and rounded. If you find one we recommend you contact your physician — a primary care doctor or a gynecologist — to have the lump evaluated.

What can be mistaken for a lump in the breast?

Fibrosis and Simple Cysts

Fibrosis may feel firm or rubbery, while cysts may feel round and tender. Either may be mistaken for cancerous lumps. Symptoms of fibrosis and simple cysts may include: Pain, swelling, and/or tenderness.

What is an oval lump in a 13 year old's breast?

Breast Lumps in Adolescents: Causes

Breast masses in teens are almost always benign (not cancer). Fibroadenoma: most breast masses in teens are fibroadenomas. They are 1 inch (2.5 cm) oval or round, rubbery, non-tender mass. Most often in upper-outer quadrant of breast.

When should I be concerned about a lump on my child?

If you see a skin lump on your child, consult your primary care doctor. If the lump changes size or color, or there is pain associated with the bump, or your child also experiences weight loss or appetite loss, night sweats or a fever, urgent evaluation and further investigation is needed.

Why does my 12 year old daughter's breast hurt?

Your 12-year-old's breast pain is usually normal signs of puberty, caused by hormonal changes and breast tissue growth (breast buds), leading to tenderness, soreness, or itching as skin stretches, often improving with a supportive bra and potentially easing before periods. It's common for one breast to grow faster or for pain to fluctuate with monthly cycles, but see a doctor if there's a concerning lump, redness with fever, or discharge.
 

Can a teenager have a breast cyst?

A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the breast tissue. Cysts often enlarge and become tender and painful just before the menstrual period and may seem to appear overnight. They are the most common reason for breast lumps in teenagers.

How to tell if it's a lump or breast tissue?

Normal breast tissue feels like a consistent, fibrous mesh or has natural lumpiness (like oatmeal/pebbles), while a concerning lump feels like a distinct, harder, movable or fixed mass, different from the surrounding tissue or your other breast, often pea-sized or larger, and warrants a doctor visit if new, persistent, or accompanied by skin/nipple changes. Use the pads of your fingers for a light touch then deeper press, and compare to your other breast to identify a true change.
 

How early can a girl get breast cancer?

You can get breast cancer at any age, including your teens and 20s, though it's more common after 50; "early-onset" breast cancer is diagnosed in women under 45, with cases rising in younger groups, often linked to genetic factors like BRCA mutations or strong family history, making self-awareness and doctor consultation crucial for anyone noticing changes, says Essentia Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Cleveland Clinic. 

How likely is it for a 12 year old to get cancer?

Diagnosis

• In 2024, approximately 9,600 children ages 0-14 and 5,300 adolescents (15-19) were diagnosed with cancer.
• Incidence rates in children have stabilized since 2015 but continue to increase for adolescents by about 1 percent per year.
• About 1 in 260 children will develop cancer before the age of 20.

What are the early signs of breast cancer in children?

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer in children may include :

• the development of a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm.
• changes in the breast's size or shape.
• puckering on the breast skin.
• having an inverted nipple.
• nipple discharge, including blood.

Why does my 12 year old daughter have a lump in her breast?

A lump in a 12-year-old's breast is very common and usually a normal sign of puberty (a breast bud), but it could also be a fibroadenoma (a benign growth), cyst, or due to trauma; while most are harmless, it's important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, especially if it's painful, red, warm, or accompanied by fever. 

What does a suspicious breast lump look like?

A breast lump will be noticeably more solid than the surrounding breast tissue. Breast lumps can vary in size, shape, and feel. Some may be the size of a pea, while others may be larger than a golf ball. Breast lumps may feel round, smooth, and moveable, or may be hard, jagged, and stationary.

How to tell if a daughter has breast buds?

You know your daughter has breast buds when you feel a small, firm, disc-shaped lump under the nipple and areola (the darker skin around it), which is the first sign of puberty, often tender and sometimes starting on one side before the other. They feel like a tiny knot or button, can be sore to the touch, and are a normal, healthy step in development, usually appearing between ages 8 and 13, but it's always good to have a doctor confirm it at a checkup.
 

Can a doctor tell if a breast lump is cancerous by feeling it?

It's not possible to determine whether a lump is cancerous or noncancerous based on how it feels. Not all breast lumps feel the same. Some breast lumps are hard. Some are soft.

Where are most breast cancers located?

Most breast cancers start in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (glands that make milk), often in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, which is the area closest to the armpit, due to its higher concentration of glandular tissue. Lumps in this area, near the armpit, are very common.
 

Is a breast cyst hard or soft?

Breast cysts can feel either soft or firm/hard, depending on their size, location (deep vs. surface), and how much fluid they contain, often feeling like a smooth, movable, water-filled balloon or grape, but sometimes like a firm lump. They're usually round with distinct edges, tender, and may change with your menstrual cycle, but any new lump should be checked by a doctor.
 

What are the five warning signs of breast cancer?

The 5 key warning signs of breast cancer include a new lump or thickening, swelling or skin changes (dimpling, redness, flaking), nipple changes (inversion, discharge), persistent pain, and changes in breast size or shape, with any new breast changes needing prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider.
 

What are the silent symptoms of breast cancer?

Silent breast cancer symptoms often appear as subtle skin/nipple changes (redness, dimpling like an orange peel, puckering, scaling, inversion), nipple discharge (not milk), warmth, swelling, or a marble-like lump, plus swollen lymph nodes in armpit/collarbone, which many miss because they don't involve a painful lump. These changes signal the need for a doctor, even without a palpable lump, as early signs are crucial.
 

What are the 7 warning signs of cancer caution?

Signs of Cancer

• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
• Obvious change in a wart or mole.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness.