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Breast cancers can range in size from tiny to quite large. The size of a breast cancer lesion depends upon its stage of growth. At first a single cell becomes malignant. This cell begins to replicate, and as the cells continue to divide, the tumor begins to grow. A biopsy done for a different reason might discover malignant cells before a primary breast tumor has even had time to form. In its earliest stage, breast cancer is called carcinoma-in-situ, as a clump of malignant cells start to form a lesion in a specific location. As the malignancy grows, the tumor will eventually become detectable, first by imaging techniques such as mammography and then by palpation on breast examination. A woman skilled in performing breast self-exams can detect a breast mass as small as 0.3 to 1.0 cm (the size of a small pearl).
Over half of breast cancers in the U.S. are now diagnosed while very small (less than 1.0 cm) by routine screening with modern imaging techniques. Treatment staging for breast cancer is based partly on tumor size, using categories of less than 2.0 cm, 2.0 to 5.0 cm, and greater than 5.0 cm, which might give you some idea of the range of size of breast cancers.
You're not alone. Take a look at a few of the questions related to this topic that other teens have asked us.
I have red blotches on my breasts. Is this a sign of cancer?
Does the size of your breasts affect your chances of getting breast cancer?
At what age should a teenage girl start having breast exams?
For more information, check out this article:
How To Examine Your Breasts
Posted 10-21-04
Do you have a question?  As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full  .
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