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Discovering a Breast Lump
Discovering a breast lump is important, during pregnancy or any other time. It's important for you to learn at an early age how to do a breast exam on yourself and to perform this on a regular basis (usually after every menstrual period). Nine out of 10 breast lumps are found by women examining themselves.

Your caregiver will probably perform breast exams at regular intervals, usually when you have your annual Pap smear. If you have an exam every year and are lump-free, it helps assure you no lumps are present before beginning pregnancy.
Finding a breast lump may be delayed during pregnancy because of changes in your breasts. It may be more difficult to feel a lump. Enlargement of the breasts during pregnancy and nursing tends to hide lumps or masses in the tissue of the breast.

Examine your breasts during pregnancy as you do when you are not pregnant. Do it every 4 or 5 weeks—the first day of every month is a good time to do it.

Tests for Breast Lumps
The routine test for breast lumps is examination by yourself or your healthcare provider. Other tests include X-ray examination, called a mammogram, and ultrasound examination of the breast.
If a lump is found, it may be necessary to have an ultrasound exam performed on the breast, or a mammogram. Because a mammogram utilizes X-rays, your pregnancy must be protected during the procedure, usually by shielding your abdomen with a lead apron.
It has not been shown that pregnancy accelerates the course or growth of a breast lump. But we do know it is difficult to find a breast lump because of breast changes.

Treatment during Pregnancy
Often a lump in the breast can be drained or aspirated. Fluid removed from the cyst is sent to the lab for evaluation to ensure there are no abnormal cells in the fluid. If a lump or cyst cannot be drained by a needle, a biopsy of the cyst or lump may be necessary. If fluid is clear, it's a good sign. Bloody fluid is of more concern and must be studied under a microscope in the laboratory.

If examination of a lump indicates breast cancer, treatment may begin during pregnancy. Treatment complications during pregnancy include risks for the fetus related to chemotherapy, radiation or medication, such as anesthesia or pain medicine for a biopsy. If a lump is cancerous, the need for radiation therapy and chemotherapy must be considered, along with the needs of the pregnancy.