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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more| .
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The breasts are made up of fat, connective tissue and glandular tissue. They have lobes, where breast milk is made, and ducts, which connect the lobes to the nipple.
Lymph nodes close to the breast, and the structure 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.
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