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Can a small, hard, painful breast lump be surgically removed before it gets cancerous?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My grandmother died two years ago due to breast cancer. It went unnoticed and my mother did not have any symptoms regarding the same. She is afraid that I might get breast cancer and I have a small lump in my left breast, which is painful, so even I am worried. My age is 29 and mostly I did not feel the pain. It is hard and painful to touch. When I visited the gynecologist, she said the lump is small, so it needs to be screened every six months for any changes. My doubt is can I get it surgically removed before it turns cancerous? Or what is the chance of it turning cancerous? Am I in danger? Or can I prevent cancer by following a certain lifestyle?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sanap Sneha Umrao

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanap Sneha Umrao is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist committed to women’s health and well-being. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies, infertility management, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. With a compassionate approach and advanced clinical expertise, Dr. Umrao provides personalized care to support women through every stage of life — from adolescence to motherhood and beyond.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

I appreciate you signing up on icliniq.

You now have exclusive access to expert medical opinion.

I have gone through your case and I understand your concern. You should regularly examine your breast by yourself and see if there are any changes, then compare both breasts. The lump you have could be fat, and it would not turn into malignancy. But you should do regular checkups every 6 to 12 months interval. Yes, that lump can be surgically removed only if needed. You should maintain your weight within BMI (body mass index). Your cholesterol levels should be within normal limits and you should avoid smoking.

It was a pleasure to help you and I am looking forward to helping you further with your medical needs.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 12, 2023
Reviewed At November 21, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanap Sneha Umrao is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist committed to women’s health and well-being. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies, infertility management, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. With a compassionate approach and advanced clinical expertise, Dr. Umrao provides personalized care to support women through every stage of life — from adolescence to motherhood and beyond.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanap Sneha Umrao is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist committed to women’s health and well-being. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies, infertility management, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. With a compassionate approach and advanced clinical expertise, Dr. Umrao provides personalized care to support women through every stage of life — from adolescence to motherhood and beyond.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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