As we wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness month this week, we shall be discussing other breast problems that may not be cancer and are also important to know about. Your breast health is personal and unique to you. It’s your duty to be proactive and make sure you’re aware of changes in your body.
More women have benign (non-cancerous) breast problems than cancer.
What are Benign Breast Problems?
Benign breast problems are problems in the breast that are not cancer. Benign breast problems can go away on their own or are easily treated. The most common benign breast problems are cysts, benign masses, and infections.
Many benign breast problems are related to hormones and found in premenopausal women. If you’re in menopause and notice breast problems or changes, it’s especially important to consult your doctor to rule out potential breast cancer.
Benign breast problems typically present as either pain or a lump. Benign breast problems may be found with a mammogram and/or ultrasound of the breast. Even when a lump can not be felt, a mammogram can show if there is a breast problem.
Types of Benign Breast Problems
Benign Breast Mass
A benign breast mass is a mass on the breast that’s not cancer. You may hear it called a mass, a growth, or a tumor. The most common benign breast mass is the benign fibroadenoma.
What causes it?
Fibroadenomas, similar to cysts, are related to hormones. These are most often seen in women during puberty through their twenties, and are often associated with birth control. Starting birth control, changing birth control, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can cause fibroadenomas.
What are the symptoms?
A fibroadenoma feels like a hard, round lump in the breast. They move easily and typically don’t hurt. How is it diagnosed & treated? Fibroadenomas can be monitored by your doctor with an ultrasound every six months, for two years. You can also biopsy a fibroadenoma, but you will still need to follow with an ultrasound to make sure it’s not changing or growing. It’s recommended to get a fibroadenoma removed if it’s growing, changing, or causing pain.
Breast Cyst
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the breast tissue. You can think of a cyst like a water balloon. Any woman, at any age, can have cysts.
There are a few different types of common breast cysts.
• A single fluid-filled sac is called a simple cyst.
• A bunch of cysts next to each other are called complicated cysts. Sometimes complicated cysts can be described like a bunch of grapes.
• A cyst that has a very small mass inside is called a complex cyst. These are less common. If you have a complex cyst, a biopsy may be recommended.
What causes it?
Breast cysts are typically related to hormones. You most often see breast cysts in women of reproductive years and premenopausal. They can fluctuate with your menstrual cycle, too. Not everybody has breast cysts, but many women get them. Most people’s breast cyst issues will go away in menopause because that’s when hormone levels decrease.
What are the symptoms?
A breast cyst can feel like a lump. A breast cyst may be painful just before your menstrual cycle begins. Some cysts may be felt, while others are too small to be felt. If you have a cyst, you may notice that it comes and goes depending on the hormone cycle of menstruation.
How is it diagnosed & treated?
Since breast cysts are related to hormones, there’s nothing an individual can do to prevent or get rid of their cysts. Sometimes breast cysts cause pain. If the cyst is big enough to cause pain, your doctor can perform an aspiration. An aspiration is where local anesthesia is applied to the skin and a needle is inserted into the cyst to draw out fluid. It’s like collapsing a water balloon. After an aspiration, the pain from the cyst is almost instantaneously gone. Other than pain, breast cysts don’t cause any problems. Simple cysts are not associated with a higher risk of cancer.
Breast Pain
Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons.
What causes it?
Generally, breast pain (on its own) is not a sign of breast cancer. If you’re experiencing breast pain, speak with your primary care physician or gynecologist. Breast pain almost always goes away. It can be tied to activity, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or certain medications. Also, some women have lumpy breast tissue called fibrocystic breasts, which may be more painful during certain times of the month. Breast cancer doesn’t typically present as pain until more advanced. If your cancer is more advanced and causing pain, it could be that the tumor is pushing on organ structures or hitting nerves. That’s more consistent with locally advanced breast cancer
REMEMBER: The most important message for anyone is to not ignore breast lumps, breast pain, or any breast changes. If you notice changes or feel anything new (firmness or lump) in your breasts, see your doctor. If you know what the breast problem is, you can either get it treated or get reassurance from your doctor so that you can have peace of mind.
