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The female breast changes with puberty and during the monthly menstrual cycle. Most changes in the breast are normal. However, some changes in the breast may require medical attention, such as breast pain and masses or lumps. Breast pain can have many causes, including the normal swelling of breast tissue during the menstrual cycle, caused by hormonal changes. Other causes of breast pain include infection, injury, and cysts. Pain accompanied by redness and warmth or a discharge from the nipple may signal an infection. Breast discharge may be caused by an infection, medications, or a hormone imbalance.
Breast lumps come in many forms and differ in size, shape, and location, as well as in causes and treatment. About half of all women have lumpy breasts, or fibrocystic changes, which are normal. A lump that is movable and feels unattached to the chest wall can indicate a cyst or a fibroadenoma. A lump that is hard, is not movable, or feels attached to the chest wall, with or without pain, perhaps with dimpling or puckering of the breast may be a sign of breast cancer (which is extraordinarily rare in teens). Any new or unusual lump should be examined by a health care provider.
For more information go to the Center for Young Women's Health website.
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