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Strange benign chest lumps found in SoCal surfers

New York Post • October 6, 2026 • health

Key Points:

Longtime surfers are developing unusual fatty growths on their chests called "liposurfomas," caused by repeated pressure from paddling on hard surfboards.
These growths, while benign, can resemble tumors and lead to unnecessary medical tests and anxiety among surfers.
Researchers at UC Irvine studied seven surfers with liposurfomas and noted the condition results from low-intensity, repetitive trauma to the chest area.
Liposurfomas differ from "surfer's knots," which are hard masses typically found on knees and shins, but both are noncancerous.
Treatments include wetsuit padding or surgical removal, though the lumps may return if surfers continue paddling regularly.