There are a number of benign conditions of the breast that are neither cancerous or precancerous. Some, such as fibrocystic breast changes are quite common. It is estimated that as many as one-third of the women between the ages of 30 and 50 years old have fibrous breasts that feel like they have ropey or lumpy tissue in a portion of the breast or throughout the breast. Other symptoms may include swollen and tender breast tissue.

It was once believed that fibrocystic breast changes -- then known as fibrocystic breast disease -- increased the likelihood of developing cancer. However, research has shown that benign breast conditions -- including fibrocystic breast changes -- are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer unless a breast biopsy shows abnormal breast cells.

Other benign breast conditions include:

• Cysts - fluid-filled sacs in the breast which may increase and decrease in size with a woman's monthly hormone cycle.

 
• Fibroadenoma - small, solid breast lumps made of fibrous and glandular tissue, one of the most common benign tumors detected in biopsy.

 
• Lipoma - round or oval fatty lumps under the skin.

 
• Fat necrosis - lumpy scar tissue that many develop from fat tissue after breast injury or surgery

The American Cancer Society provides information on diagnosing benign breast conditions and screening recommendations. Find out more.