Differential diagnosis
Common
Infrequent
Specific differential diagnosis
Further management
NICE cancer referral guidelines for breast cancer suggest the following:
Refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for breast cancer if they are:
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for breast cancer in people:
Consider non-urgent referral in people aged under 30 with an unexplained breast lump with or without pain.
Refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for breast cancer if they are:
- aged 30 and over and have an unexplained breast lump with or without pain or
- aged 50 and over with any of the following symptoms in one nipple only:
- discharge
- retraction
- other changes of concern.
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for breast cancer in people:
- with skin changes that suggest breast cancer or
- aged 30 and over with an unexplained lump in the axilla.
Consider non-urgent referral in people aged under 30 with an unexplained breast lump with or without pain.