Should I worry about lumps in my breast?
The other cause of panic about the breast is with regards to lumps. Again, it is important to note that it is always alarming when one finds one, but most breast lumps are not cancerous.
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Causes of breast lumps include:
Fibrocystic changes
Previously called Fibrocystic Disease are the most common benign or harmless condition of the breast. Changes can occur in one or both breasts, most commonly in the upper and outer sections.
A lump or lumps, which really are thickening of the fibrous tissue that supports the breast glands may be felt. In addition, common lumps, called fibroadenomas, occur during the reproductive years.
They have a rubbery feel and are movable when examined. They often occur in conjunction with fibrocystic changes and are wholly harmless.
Cysts
These are fluid-filled lumps and when they occur in the breast are called breast cysts. As you may recall from last week, breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing glands) and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple), which are surrounded by glandular, fibrous and fatty tissue. Sometimes, fluid-filled sacs develop in the breast tissue.
They are one of the most common causes of a breast lump, and can develop in either one or both breasts. It’s thought that they develop naturally as the breast changes with age, due to normal changes in hormone levels. It’s not uncommon to have more than one cyst.
Although cysts can be developed at any age, they are most common in women over 35 years. They develop more often as women get closer to menopause and usually stop once a woman has been through the menopause except those on hormone replacement therapy.
Breast cysts can feel soft or hard and can be of any size, ranging from a few millimetres to several centimetres. They can develop anywhere in the breast, may feel uncomfortable and even painful.
Before a period, cysts may become larger and feel sore and tender in response to changes in hormonal levels.
However, many women can have cysts and not be able to feel them at all. Most cysts go away by themselves and are nothing to worry about.
However, large cyst or those causing discomfort, may warrant aspiration of the fluid using a fine needle and syringe either blindly or under ultrasound guidance.
Once the fluid has been drawn off, the cyst usually disappears. Unfortunately, breast cysts can come back, or new ones may develop. The good thing though is that treatment for each cysts is the same each time.
Abscess:
Sometimes a breast abscess can complicate breastfeeding. Infections can occur during breastfeeding if bacteria enter the breast tissue, or if the milk ducts become blocked.
This can cause mastitis which, if not treated, can result in an abscess formation. Women who aren't breastfeeding can also develop mastitis if bacteria enter the milk ducts through a sore or cracked nipple, or a nipple piercing.
White blood cells are sent to attack the infection, which causes tissue at the site of the infection to die. This creates a small, hollow area that fills with pus (an abscess).
Again this is a non-cancerous mass but is more often tender and frequently feels mobile beneath the skin. The edge of the mass is usually regular and well defined.
Signs and symptoms that this more serious infection has occurred include tender lump that does not get smaller after breastfeeding, it may be red, and feel hot and cause the surrounding skin to swell.
Obvious pus may be draining from the nipple in advanced cases with constitutional signs as fever, malaise and loss of appetite. A breast abscess will need to be drained.
Small breast abscesses can be drained using a needle and syringe. If the abscess is large, a small incision may be needed to drain the pus.
The last category of breast lumps is the cancerous ones which will be tackled next week.