Most women will find a breast lump at some point in their lives and it is important to know most breast lumps are benign. They are also commonly influenced by the menstrual cycle.
The most common benign breast lump is called a fibroadenoma, which is also referred to as a breast mouse. This is because they are usually firm, rubbery, painless, well defined, lumps that can move around the breast when being felt.
Prior to your period you may experience an increase in size and tenderness of your breasts. This is the effect of the hormone changes that occur at this time of the tissue around the milk ducts (Fibrocystic changes) or within the breast tissue itself (simple cysts).
Another cause of a benign breast lump can be following an injury or breast surgery. This is where the breast fat can loose its blood supply and undergo fat necrosis. This is felt usually as a painless firm round lump of variable size. This can happen after breast reduction surgery.
Of course a breast lump may represent a non-benign disease, called a malignant lump or a breast cancer. Breast cancer can be associated with other changes, such as in the breast skin, the nipple (inverted nipple) or areolar and may also include nipple discharge.
Most women will find a breast lump at some point in their lives and it is important to know most breast lumps are benign. They are also commonly influenced by the menstrual cycle.
The most common benign breast lump is called a fibroadenoma, which is also referred to as a breast mouse. This is because they are usually firm, rubbery, painless, well defined, lumps that can move around the breast when being felt.
Prior to your period you may experience an increase in size and tenderness of your breasts. This is the effect of the hormone changes that occur at this time of the tissue around the milk ducts (Fibrocystic changes) or within the breast tissue itself (simple cysts).
Another cause of a benign breast lump can be following an injury or breast surgery. This is where the breast fat can loose its blood supply and undergo fat necrosis. This is felt usually as a painless firm round lump of variable size. This can happen after breast reduction surgery.
Of course a breast lump may represent a non-benign disease, called a malignant lump or a breast cancer. Breast cancer can be associated with other changes, such as in the breast skin, the nipple (inverted nipple) or areolar and may also include nipple discharge.
Given this information, it is advisable that you regularly conduct breast examinations at home to detect lumps at an early stage. Furthermore, it is important to have breast imaging (such as ultrasounds, mammograms or even MRI scan) to detect any changes if you are at high risk. Increased risk includes a very strong family history of breast cancer. If lumps are detected and found on breast imaging a biopsy can be performed to determine the nature of the lump.
If you do find a lump or are seeing Dr Rory for breast surgery, he will conduct a full breast examination and perform any imaging or biopsy needed in order to reach a diagnosis.
It is important to bear in mind most breast lumps are benign. In the event of a breast cancer diagnosis, Dr Rory will refer you to a team that can plan the appropriate treatment, which may include the need for breast reconstruction.
