Cancerbackup: The breasts

Skip the page content navigation if you do not require links to content sections within this page.

Page Content Navigation

Skip the main banner if you do not want to read it as the next section.

Page Banner

Want to speak to a specialist cancer nurse? Call free on 0808 800 1234



The best cancer information for everyone.
Cancerbackup has merged with Macmillan. Together we can provide a wealth of high quality information about cancer.

Skip the main content if you do not want to read it as the next section.

The structure and function of the breasts

The breasts are made up of fat, connective tissue and glandular tissue that contains lobes. The lobes are where breast milk is produced. A network of milk ducts connects the lobes to the nipple.


Two diagrams, one showing the lymph nodes close to the breast and a second showing the structures of the breast.

A woman's breasts are rarely the same size as each other, and may feel different at different times of the menstrual cycle, sometimes becoming lumpy just before a period.

Under the skin, an area of breast tissue extends into the armpit (axilla). The armpits also contain a collection of lymph nodes (lymph glands), which are part of the lymphatic system.

There are also lymph nodes just beside the breastbone and behind the collarbones.


Content last reviewed: 01 September 2008
Page last modified: 06 November 2008

Get support

Look for other people in the same situation on our What Now? community - read their blogs or talk to them in our chat rooms.

Find out about other ways to get support on the main Macmillan website.