Does breast injury or trauma cause cancer?
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Physical trauma, injury or a blow to the breast does not cause cancer
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There’s no evidence for breast injury causing cancer
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If you notice anything that is not normal for you, talk to your doctor
Why are some people worried about a blow to the breast and cancer?
Some people are worried that physical trauma or injury to their breast tissue can cause cancer.
Sometimes an injury to the breast can cause a lump, but this is not cancer. It’s usually because of bruising or swelling, or scar tissue that can form when the body naturally repairs itself (called ‘fat necrosis’). Fat necrosis lumps may need treatment if they are causing you discomfort and don’t go away on their own. But these lumps do not increase the risk of cancer.
What does the research say about breast injury or trauma and cancer?
Physical trauma or injury to the breast does not cause cancer.
Cancer happens when the DNA in our cells is damaged, causing cells to divide out of control. There is no research showing that breast injury can cause DNA damage that leads to cancer.
It’s possible that experiencing an injury could lead to finding a cancer, but that doesn’t mean the injury caused it. For example, someone may have an injury to the breast checked out by a health professional, and it may involve scans and tests. If there is already a cancer in the affected area these checks could lead to finding it.
Even if you’ve experienced an injury recently, if you notice a change to the look or feel of your chest, breasts or nipples, or anything else that’s not normal for you, tell your doctor. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but it’s important to get it checked out.
Find out more about breast changes and how to be breast aware.
We also have information on proven risk factors for breast cancer.
What are the proven causes of cancer?
There are many myths, questions and hot topics when it comes to cancer risk. But thanks to decades of research into preventing cancer, we know of proven ways to lower the risk of cancer.
These include not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
We used many references to produce this information and it is not possible to list them all here. These are the key references with a short explanation of each one:
StatPearls [Internet]: Breast Fat Necrosis.
R Genova and RF Garza, StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
This book chapter explains how trauma to the breast can result in a lump, caused by ‘breast fat necrosis’.
Rare Papillary Breast Carcinoma Incidentally Discovered After Trauma-Induced Hematoma.
B Li and others, Cureus Journal of Medical Science, 2021. Volume 13, Issue 9, Pages e18215.
This is a case study example of how a cancer may be discovered following an injury.
Systematic review of the epidemiology of a single physical trauma and cancer.
DM McElvenny and others, Trauma, 2021. Volume 23, Issue 3, Pages 175-18723, Issue 3, Pages 175-187
This study looked at results from two studies and did not find evidence for breast cancer from breast trauma.
Last reviewed: 19 December 2024
Next review due: 19 December 2027
