Breast lumps are very common but fortunately most of them turn out not to be cancers. But, if a cancer is present it's important for it to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. So you should never ignore a breast lump.

It's best to see your GP immediately. They can examine you and ask questions to help decide whether the lump could be due to a cancer or not.

There are guidelines to help GPs decide when to refer women with breast lumps for specialist assessment. The guidelines say GPs should arrange for any woman with a distinct lump in the breast who is over 30 years old, to be seen within 2 weeks by with a specialist in breast disease.

Harmless lumps are very common in women under the age of 30 and these lumps often disappear after a menstrual period. So an urgent appointment with a breast specialist is often not necessary for women under 30. However if the lump is growing or still there after their next period an urgent referral (within 2 weeks) is advisable.

There are separate guidelines for England and Wales and for Scotland (PDF document).