There are many types of benign breast conditions. Even though these are not cancerous diseases, is it still very important for you to understand these conditions because most women will develop AT LEAST one of these conditions within their lifetime. Know the facts to ease your worries as well as the worries of the women around you.
Breast lumps that are benign
The good news is YOU DON’T HAVE BREAST CANCER.
The bad news is YOU STILL HAVE A BREAST LUMP.
Although most women think that if they a breast lump usually means they have breast cancer. However, this is FALSE. There are several breast lumps that represent benign breast conditions.
These lumps can still be mind-boggling to you and can still cause a feeling of ‘un-easiness’. Once you know the facts, you will be able to rest better because KNOWLEDGE BRINGS COMFORT!
Types of Benign Breast Lumps:
Breast Cysts
Breast Cysts are one of the most common benign breast conditions that appear as a lump. These occur most frequently in women of child-bearing age. A woman can have one single breast cyst or many, many breast cysts. Once a woman has been diagnosed with a breast cyst, it is very likely that she will develop more cysts.
The amount of estrogen in a woman’s body has been linked to the cause of breast cysts. As the hormones levels change with a woman’s menstrual cycle, breasts tissue composition also changes. Cysts form when the milk ducts are clogged because of these hormonal effects on the glandular and connective tissue within the breast. These changes are referred to as Fibrocystic Changes.
Click here to learn more about Fibrocycstic Breast Disease
Symptoms of a breast cyst are:
- A soft and moveable lump
- Tenderness in the area of the lump
- Increasing and decreasing in the size and tenderness of the lump with the menstrual cycle
If it is desired, a woman can choose to have the breast cyst aspirated or surgically removed. Speak to your doctor if you feel you have a breast cyst. Never assume a that your breast lump is a cyst – a mammogram or breast ultrasound should be used to diagnose all cysts.
Fibroadenomas
A fibroadenoma is a solid, benign breast condition. They are solid breast tumors and typically have a ‘rubbery’ texture. They vary in size from being pea-size to the size of a golf ball. Most fibroadenomas do not hurt or cause any other symptoms.
Because fibroadenomas are made of fibrous and glandular tissues, they can change in size with a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, it is more common for a fibroadenoma grow with the menstrual cycle and not to get smaller. Also, breast feeding and pregnancy can cause the sizes of fibroadenomas to grow. These occur most commonly in women bewteen the ages of 20-30.
Diagnosis of a fibroadenoma is typically done with a mammogram or breast ultrasound. For a definitive diagnosis, a biopsy should be performed.
Lipoma
A lipoma by definition is a ‘fatty tumor’. Lipomas can be found anywhere within the body, including in the breast. The occurrence of a lipoma in a woman’s body increases the likelihood of the development of another lipoma eventually forming within her body.
Lipomas are generally painless and present themselves as a very soft, mobile and easily compressible lump. They can occur in any woman of any age. They can form as a result from blunt trauma to the breast or they can form because of no reason at all.
Diagnosis of a breast lipoma can be made clinically, mammographically or with the use of breast ultrasound. If there is any question of the exact diagnosis, a breast biopsy may also be performed.
Other benign breast conditions:
Here are a few more benign breast conditions:
Breast Pain
Breast pain is a general term used to describe a condition that many women face as a normal part of their life. There are many reason a breast may hurt and there are several remedies to help to alleviate this annoying and frustrating condition.
Mastitis
Mastitis is a very painful benign breast condition that is usually occurs in mother’s who are breastfeeding. The symptoms for mastitis are:
- Very painful and warm breast
- Reddness of the breast, usually starting at the nipple region and extending out
- Extreme pain in the breast while breastfeeding
- Low-mid grade fever
- A general feeling of fatigue
As with any infection, mastitis occurs, because of the intoduction of bactria. In this case, it is usually from the bacteria the baby’s mouth entering the nipple while breastfeeding. Diagnosing mastitis is usually done clinically however, it must never be confused with the symptoms of Imflammatory Breast Cancer.
If you are expereincing mastitis, you doctor will probably put you on an antibiotic and inform you to drink plenty of fluids and get rest.
If symptoms are not relieved, a breast absess can form Galactogram
It is difficult to diagnose a papilloma with just the use of a mammogram or breast ultrasound. A breast biopsy is the best and most accurate method for diagnosis.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia by definition is a benign breast condition that represents as an overgrown of a man’s breast tissue. It can effect one of both of his breast. It often starts as a breast lump and can grow and may even become tender.
Just as a woman’s breast grow and develop because of the estrongen levels in her body, just is the same for men. Men in normal situations have low levels of estrogen (Just as women also have low levels of testosterone.). As the levels of estrogen in a male become higher, the size of his breasts may also increase. Other reasons men may develop Gynecomastia include lung cancer, liver cirrhosis, prescription medications and the use of Marijuana or heroin.
