How do you determine if a lump you found in your body is cancerous?

Finding a lump in your body can be scary: What if it's cancerous? 

While going through a biopsy the only way to determine if the lump is benign or malignant, dermatologist Jean Marquez in an episode of Pinoy MD, gave easy guidelines to quiet your mind, should you find a lump.

According to Marquez, benign lumps — non-cancerous ones, — are often soft and painless.

"Benign naman kung may malambot at gumagalaw ang bukol. Gumagalaw at nakakakapa mo, nakukuha mo yung border. Kung very definite yung border, maaari 'tong benign," she said.

And then there are the cysts. According to Marquez, in most cases, people might have mistaken a lump for a cyst.

"'Yong mga tumor sa skin, usually 'pag kinapa mo siya medyo soft siya tapos bilog na bilog tapos wala namang pain. Usually, baka ito'y isang cyst lamang," she said.

According to Marquez, among the common cysts found on most people is the sebaceous cyst, which is usually found on the face, neck or torso.

She said the sebaceous cyst usually comes from a pimple.

Here's where it gets a little serious. According to Marquez, a lump can be considered threatening if it grows quickly, changes color, shape, and texture.

"Puwede ring matigas, 'di gumagalaw tapos 'di mo makapa kung hanggang saan ang extent," she added.

But these are just guidelines. Marquez advised the public to never self-diagnose and have the lump or cyst check with a doctor. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/LA, GMA News