As the amount of fluid in the cyst increases it can get quite firm. Fibroadenomas often have a rubbery feel to them. Cancers usually feel quite hard. Breast cancers are rarely tender to touch . Sometimes they may seem tender but this is really due to tender overlying breast tissue.
Cancers are often irregular in shape while benign lesions tend to be round or oval.
The surface of a cancer often feels irregular while benign lesions are often smooth or lobulated. When they are pressed the surrounding tissue can be felt to move with the lump as it is dragged along. The resistence to mevement is quite characteristics. Do it monthly, about a week after your period begins and the swelling of the breasts diminished. Your goal is to learn the feel of your own breasts, the smoothness or lumpiness when you palpate your breasts.