Finding a lump in your breast may leave you
with cold sweat. But here’s a reassuring fact: it usually isn't cancer.
If it’s not cancer, what could it be? Here
is how to figure out what’s up – common breast symptoms and what to do about
them.
SOFT LUMP – A soft, smooth, round lump (like a grape) that moves a little
when you press on it and may cause pain when touched, it may be small or large,
could be a cyst, or sac filled with natural fluid. It is caused by hormone
changes around your period. As much as 30 percent of women between 35 and 50
get soft lumps in their breasts at one time or the other.
Get
an ultrasound to see if the lump is filled with fluid or solid (and possibly
cancerous). Your doctor can insert a needle to drain fluid and relieve pressure
if the cyst is painful (although it may come back). Taking the Pill may lower
the incidence of cysts.
Fluid
leaking from both nipples could be milky
discharge. It could be caused by a thyroid or pituitary gland problem. Other
obvious causes are pregnancy, birth control pills, or nipple stimulation.
Talk
to you doctor, if it’s a gland problem, it’s usually treatable with
medications.
SOFT MASS – A soft, lumpy mass about 1 to 4 inches wide, accompanied by
tenderness in one or both breasts before your period could be symptoms of
fibrotic changes going on in the breasts. It is caused by fluctuations in
estrogen and progesterone, which can thicken breast tissue. The problem affects
more than 50 percent of women and often comes and goes until menopause.
Reduce
pain by taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen, or by wearing a
supportive bra. Limiting fat and caffeine in your diet may help too. Talk to
your doctor if symptoms persist.
HARD MASS – A hard solid mass that has irregular or jagged sides, as opposed
to smooth edges, which usually won’t move or “give” when you push it could be
cancerous tumor. Nobody knows for sure what causes it though age and family
history are risk factors, and studies have shown that having 2 alcoholic drinks
per day ups your risk by 10 percent.
The
best thing to do is to call your doctor and get a mammogram.
HARD LUMP – A hard, round, clearly-defined lump (which could be very small or
up to 5 inches wide) that can be moved under the skin without any pain could be
a fibroadenoma. It is caused by changing hormone levels. These benign tumors
are as common as cysts, bit they are not unusual among women in their 20s and
30s.
Get
a mammogram. A biopsy is probably unnecessary, according to the latest
research, but check with your doctor. Surgical removal is an option if the
tumor is large.
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Very helpful......thanx
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