Breast lumps are one of the most common reasons women visit the hospital. According to Healthline, up to 50% of women experience breast lumps at some stage of their lives.
A breast lump is a tissue growth inside your mammary glands. At any time during your life, lumps may appear and be found on your breasts. They can be large, small, hard, or fluid-filled. In most cases, not all lumps are harmful to one’s health or are always a sign of cancer; but sometimes, lumps can create other severe conditions.
Types of Breast Lump in Women
Breast lumps can either be benign (gentle) or harmful. Here we would be listing the common types of benign breast lumps experienced by women throughout their life.
- Duct ectasia
- Sclerosing adenosis
- Phyllodes tumor
- Intraductal papilloma
Causes of Lump in Breast
Diseases do not mainly cause breast lumps, as causes of breast lumps in women vary. Some causes are harmless, and the lumps go away naturally or by some simple treatment methods, while some may be extremely dangerous and result in breast cancer. They include;
#1. Fibroadenoma
One of the primary causes of a breast lump is Fibroadenoma – an unusual growth of the glandular tissue. Fibroadenomas are rubbery solid tumors that are commonly found in younger women, especially in their 20s and 30s. It is non-cancerous and mainly involves the movement of lumps in the breast tissue. It can sometimes go away on its own, or it can be removed by surgery.
#2. Menstrual Cycle
The breast tissues change when you are on your period, which means that a lump can arise in the breast on or before your period. During the menstrual period, you can feel tenderness and swelling in their breasts. Also, due to extra fluids, you might feel more than one lump in your breast.
#3. Papilloma
It is not harmful when there is just one, but if more than one, or your family has a medical history of papilloma, you’re at a higher risk of having cancer. Papilloma may cause a discharge of blood from your nipple because it grows in the milk duct area of the breast. This lump is common among women between the ages of 35 to 55, but younger women can experience it when breastfeeding.
#4. Necrosis
While fat necrosis can occur anywhere on the body with fatty tissue, the most common location for it to appear in the breast. Fat necrosis is a condition where fatty lumps form as a result of some injury to the breast. It can also happen after breast surgery or radiation treatment.
Treatment of Breast Lumps
The treatment of breast lump varies according to the causes. Surgery is needed to remove solid swellings, while other minor infections can be handled by using antibiotics. It is crucial to practice self-examination of your breast every day to avoid breast cancer. This can be quickly done by following the few steps below:
- Stand in front of a mirror and examine your breast if there are any changes.
- Lift your arm and continue to examine if there is any visible swelling.
- Feel your breast, which includes you massaging it.
- Check if there is a discharge.
Doing these helps you pay attention to any breast lump, detect them at the right time, and get them treated.
Wrap Up
Unfortunately, breast cancer lumps can appear at any stage of your life. You should be more concerned with lumps in your breast if they are painful, if they increase and then decrease in size, or if they occur in multiple groups. If you find anything during your self-examination, talk to a doctor as soon as possible so you can get a proper diagnosis.
