Finding a lump in a breast can cause a lot of anxiety for women. In most cases, the thought of cancer is in her mind before she can catch her breath.
The reality is, though, that most types of lumps are non-cancerous, or benign. Many lumps occur naturally. Knowing a little more about these lumps can help ease worries if one is found.
“Lumps are sometimes found during clinical exams, but often, a woman will find a lump on her own,” said Bonnie Leger, CNM, certified nurse midwife with OBG-1. “She may feel something odd when she’s getting dressed or undressed, or during a self-breast exam.”
The good news is that 80% of all breast lumps are benign. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 tend to get the majority of lumps. They can be found in both breasts or just one. Common causes include normal changes in the breast tissue, a breast infection or injury, and medicines that may cause lumps or breast pain. “Some breasts tend to be lumpier than others,” explained Leger. “What are normal lumps for one woman may not be normal lumps for another woman. That’s why it’s important for a woman to know what is normal for her.”
A woman’s menstrual cycle has a large impact on the presence of lumps in the breast. Generally, a few days or a week before her period, a woman’s breasts may be more prone to lumps than at other times during the month because lumps tend to react to changes in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels that rise and fall during the menstrual cycle. Also, increased age affects the breast tissue; causing it to become more fatty and less dense. Tenderness and swelling will usually decline over the years.
Many women have heard the term “fibrocystic breasts”. This condition simply means that lumps are normal and usually not anything to worry about. Women with fibrocystic breasts usually have lumps that increase in size and tenderness just prior to her cycle. Fibrocystic changes are most noticeable during a woman’s 40s, and are the most common cause of benign breast lumps in women between the ages of 35 and 50. Once menopause occurs, fibrocystic changes decrease because hormones aren’t playing as large a role as they once were.
Fibroadenomas are the most common benign tumors found in the female breast. They are solid, round, rubbery lumps that move freely when pushed on and are usually painless. They occur most often between the ages of 20 and 30 and are more common in African-American women.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the breast. They can be very tender or painless; they usually feel smooth, and can be moved when palpitated. Cysts are rare in women over 50. For very painful cysts, having them drained by a doctor can help provide relief as well as confirm the diagnosis.
Another type of lump is formed due to injury to the breast tissue. Fat necrosis can occur when the breast area is hit suddenly. The injury causes fat to form in lumps, which are normally round and hard. They are generally not painless, but they can cause discomfort in some women. The skin over the lump may be red or look bruised. The lump may show up a few weeks after the injury; in some cases, lumps can develop years later. They usually go away without treatment, but may form permanent scar tissue that can show up as an abnormality on a mammogram.
“If a woman finds a lump, it’s a good idea for her to check her other breast. Does it feel lumpy also? Are the lumps distributed throughout the breast, or is there one in particular that seems to be different than the rest? If it seems odd, it’s always a good idea to see a health care professional,” said Leger. In addition, other changes may indicate an appointment is necessary:
• the lump doesn’t go away after the next menstrual cycle
• the lump changes, it gets bigger or becomes firmer
• the skin over the lump changes, it gets red or puckers
Treatments vary depending on the type of lump. They can range from no treatment at all for fibrocystic breasts, fine needle aspiration for simple cysts or possibly surgery to remove fibroadenomas.
“Even though self breast exams aren’t as strongly recommended as they were years ago, I still encourage my patients to do them. They don’t have to do them on a strict schedule, but it’s good to examine them from time to time so that you know what’s normal and what may need further attention,” Leger explained. “In addition, getting a baseline mammogram at the age of 35 and a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40 is recommended. Also, have a clinical mammogram done by a health care professional every three years from age 20 to 40, then yearly after that.” Being aware of what is normal, changes that may occur, and getting the recommended screenings are ways to promote good breast health. Knowing the various types of lumps can also provide some relief if ever a lump is found.
For more information, call for an appointment at OBG-1 in either the Sulphur or Lake Charles offices. The phone number is 312-1000.
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