Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Illnesses and conditions
  4. A to Z

Breast problems

It's important to be "breast aware". This is so you can identify any problems in your breasts. Any unusual changes to your breasts should be checked by your GP as soon as possible.

When to see your GP

It is important you see your GP as soon as possible if you notice a lump in your breasts so your doctor can find out what is the cause. Finding a lump in your breast can be a worry. However, around 90 per cent of breast lumps are benign (not cancer).

You also should see your GP if you notice any other changes to one or both of your breasts, such as:

  • an area of thickened tissue
  • nipple discharge, which may contain blood
  • a change in the size or shape of your breasts
  • dimpling on the skin of your breasts
  • a rash on or around your nipples
  • a change in your nipple's appearance – for example, becoming sunken into your breast
  • persistent pain in your breasts or armpits
  • a lump or swelling in your armpits

Breast conditions

This information may help give you an idea about what the issue might be. Don't use it to diagnose yourself with a condition. Always leave that to a health professional. 

Most breast problems are not breast cancer but you should see your GP straight away to get any problems checked out. There are different conditions that can cause problems with your breasts. These include:

Breast abscess

A breast abscess is a painful collection of pus that forms in the breast. Most abscesses develop just under the skin and are caused by a bacterial infection. Breast abscesses commonly happen as a complication of mastitis. Mastitis is a condition that causes breast pain and swelling (inflammation).

  • Read more about symptoms and treating a breast abscess

Breast lumps

Breast lumps are common and have a number of different causes. Although most lumps aren't breast cancer, any unusual changes to the breasts should be checked by a GP as soon as possible.

Breast pain

Breast pain, also called mastalgia, affects most women at some point. Read more about some of the possible causes of breast pain and when to see your GP.

Breast cancer in women

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in Northern Ireland. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected in its early stages. It’s important women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their GP.

Breast cancer in men

Breast cancer is a condition that men can also get. It is over 100 times less common in men, than in women, in Northern Ireland. It usually occurs in men over 60, but can very occasionally affect younger men. You should see your GP if you have symptoms of breast cancer.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a condition which causes a woman's breast tissue to become painful and inflamed. It's most common in breastfeeding women, usually within the first six weeks after giving birth.  You should speak to your midwife or health visitor, or contact your GP, as soon as possible if you think you might have mastitis.

Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge isn't usually a sign of anything serious. But it’s a good idea to see your GP to get it checked just in case.

  • Read more about the causes of nipple discharge

Paget’s disease of the nipple

Paget's disease of the nipple is a rare condition associated with breast cancer. It causes eczema-like changes to the skin of the nipple and the darker skin surrounding it (areola). It's usually a sign of breast cancer in the tissue behind the nipple. See your GP if you notice changes to your nipple or areola skin.

Checking your breasts

It's important to be "breast aware". This is so you can identify any problems in your breasts and get them checked out as soon as possible.

Breast aware means:

  • being familiar with your breasts
  • knowing what is normal for them
  • examining them regularly for any changes

If you are a woman 50 years or over, it's also important to go to breast cancer screening appointments every three years. At the appointment, a type of X-ray called a mammogram will be carried out to look for early signs of cancer.

But don't wait until your next screening appointment if you notice any problems in your breast, see your GP right away. Screening is necessary in women as a breast cancer can be more difficult to detect amongst breast tissue.

In men, a breast lump will be more easily recognised. Any unusual lump appearing should be checked with your GP, if you do not know what it is.

Read more about:

  • Breast screening
  • Breast screening – Public Health Agency

More useful links

  • How to use your health services

The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

For further information see terms and conditions.

Health conditions A to Z

Or find conditions beginning with A to Z…

Skip A to Z menu
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS