"I've found a lump in my breast."
Don't
panic. Eighty percent of all breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous).
There are several common causes of breast lumps:
- Benign breast changes
- Breast infection or injury
- Medicines that can cause lump or breast pain
- Breast cancer
What are the most common types of benign lumps?
The
most common benign lumps are fibrocystic changes, breast cysts, and
fibroadenomas. Most women have a certain degree of fibrocystic changes. These
are often described as benign, tiny, fluid-filled sacs that might feel like lumps.
They might be hard or rubbery, and often fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. A
woman can also have a single breast lump that might be large or small. Again, this
is a fluid- filled sac that might fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. A fibroadenoma is another benign lump and is the most common tumor found in the
female breast. These most often occur in women who are in their reproductive
years.
Can men have breast lumps?
Yes. Men
can have tender breast enlargement, often with a lump beneath the nipple.
Sometimes this is in one breast, often in both. This benign finding is called
gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can also occur after certain types of medicines are
prescribed.
Can a breast lump indicate an infection?
Possibly.
Sometimes breast infections are first noticed as a painful lump, with or without
redness.
What should I do if I find a lump?
A
lump in the premenopausal woman might be monitored for one to two months to see if
it changes, and is related to hormone fluctuations and the menstrual period. Any
unexplained breast lump that persists should be checked by your health care
provider. Call and make an appointment.
What will happen at the appointment?
- A detailed health history will be taken and a thorough breast exam will be
conducted.
- Breast imaging (mammogram or ultrasound) will be performed if your
previous studies are not current.
- You might be scheduled for other diagnostics studies such as:
- A needle aspiration
-- This
is a process during which a sample of cells are removed for
evaluation.
- A core biopsy
-- During this procedure, a very small sample of the lump is removed for evaluation.
- An excisional biopsy
-- This is the surgical removal of the entire
mass. - You might return to the doctor for another evaluation in a few weeks.
What can I do for myself to continue good breast health?
- Have a monthly self breast examination
- Have a baseline mammogram by the age of 40, and then as recommended by
your health care provider
- Have regular breast examinations by your health care provider
- Keep track of your family health history
Additional breast screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society
- If you are between the ages of 20 and 40, you should:
1) Do a breast self-exam once a month
2) Have a breast physical examination by your health care provider every
three years - If you are age 40 or older, you should:
1) Do a breast self-exam once a month
2) Have a breast physical examination by your health care provider once a year
3) Have a mammogram once a year
References
www.cancer.gov
www.cancer.org