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A soft lump on my arm doesn’t hurt and looks normal – but it freaks me out. Help?

It could be a lipoma, which isn’t as scary as it sounds. A lipoma is a growth of fat cells, technically a tumour (relax!) but typically non-cancerous; it’s rounded and rubbery and doesn’t usually hurt when touched. They may be hereditary and are more common in men, usually becoming visible around 40 years old.

“Ordinary lipomas don’t pose a health risk but can grow with time and become unsightly,” says Dr Ken Gross, a dermatologist. Typical locations are the neck, armpits and abdomen. Unless the lump becomes painful or starts to grow at a rapid pace, leave it alone. If you feel you must remove it, surgery is your only option.