Have you ever felt a hard lump in your breast? Have you had doubts or fears about it?
No need to jump to conclusions; breast lumps are very common and are simply growths of breast tissues. According to Stony Brook Cancer Center, 80% of these lumps are benign (non-cancerous) and often disappear on their own or require minimal treatment. As for the malignant (cancerous) type, although less common, it is serious and requires treatment.
Now, let us learn how to differentiate between the two types of breast lumps.
To differentiate between the two types, you need to take several important factors into consideration such as size, mobility, edge type, and pain; there are certain signs that can indicate whether a lump is suspicious. Benign types usually have mild symptoms; they commonly develop during the menstrual period and disappear once it ends. A benign lump is solid, smooth, and round; it has well-defined edges and can be moved slightly under the skin. It can vary in size from a few-millimeter pea to a few-centimeter golf ball, and is not usually painful.
Alternatively, a malignant lump does not disappear at the end of the menstrual period. It has an irregular growth pattern; as such, it is not easy to define its borders. It is also hard to move between the fingers. Furthermore, malignant lumps are accompanied with changes in the breast's texture and shape. The tissue of the affected area differs from the surrounding skin, causing the skin to wrinkle or develop a thickening under it, resembling an orange peel, or it may change color to red. The appearance of the nipple may also change; it may become inverted, discharge fluid, or become painful.
Common Reasons for Breast Lumps
Benign breast lumps are often linked to hormonal fluctuations and fluid retention associated with the menstrual cycle. They can also result from blocked milk ducts, infections, or breast injuries. On the other hand, the reasons of malignant lumps are not entirely clear.
Several factors can contribute to the development of breast lumps such as weight gain, lack of physical exercise, hormone therapy, and poor diet. Fortunately, these factors can be controlled. However, some other factors cannot be controlled, such as being over 55 years of age, the presence of certain genetic factors, and having dense breast tissue (more glandular and fibrous tissue, less fatty tissue). Moreover, women are more susceptible than men. In some cases, benign lumps may turn malignant in women who suffer from hormonal imbalances or undergo hormone therapy.
Treatment
To determine the treatment, you must first determine the type of lump, which can be done through diagnostic tests. As mentioned earlier, benign lumps may need only simple treatment or not at all. As for malignant types, treatment usually involves surgery to remove the lump or the entire breast. The treatment plan may also include chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells.
Conclusion
It is necessary to have regular breast exams to check for any lumps or other changes. You should also know how to differentiate between benign and malignant lumps. It is worth mentioning that, every October, the world adopts the pink ribbon as a symbol to raise awareness about breast health.
Reference
everydayhealth.com
healthline.com
healthline.com/health/breast-lump
mayoclinic.org
nhs.uk
uicc.org
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