Because breast tissue responds to changes in hormones, breast lumps may come and go for a variety of reasons. Lumps can appear at any age, from infancy to old age. Breast lumps become a concern when the possibility of breast cancer is involved.
Breast Self-Awareness
Be aware of how your breasts look and feel naturally at different times of the month. While the American Cancer Society no long advocates monthly Breast Self-Examination (BSE), they do recommend women practice breast self-awareness. Breast self-awareness is not a formal process, but an intentional mindset of consciously being aware of any changes that might take place in your breasts. According to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, "if you can't tell whether you have a change in your breast, there probably hasn't been a change."
Lumps
Learn how your breasts react at different times of your menstrual cycle because fibrocystic change responds to the different levels of hormones in your system. Breasts are by nature somewhat lumpy because they are composed of clusters of milk glands, called lobules, surrounded by fatty tissue. Additional lumpy tissue caused by fibrocystic change will affect the majority of women at some point during their childbearing years. These lumps are considered normal, although they may be inconvenient. Fibrocystic lumps are benign, do not increase your risk of cancer and require no special treatment, but it is important to recognize when they are supposed to be there as well as when they are not.
Cause for concern
Contact your health care provider if you discover a new lump in your breast that feels different from the rest of your breast, particularly if it remains beyond your next menstrual period. You should also call your doctor if a lump in your breast starts to increase in size or gets hard. A bloody discharge from your nipple, if the nipple begins to change shape, or if the nipple begins to invert are signs that something isn't right. Sometimes breast lumps can cause changes in the skin of your breast, including unusual dimpling or puckering. If you notice any change in your breasts that are not associated with your normal monthly cycle, you should contact your health care provider for evaluation.
Tags: your breasts, your breast, breast lumps, care provider, change your
