One of the greatest fears among women is finding a dreaded lump in the breast at any stage of life. Usually, women touch and perform self-examination during bathing and changing clothes, which helps them become more familiar with their own bodies. If they feel something unusual on palpation, they can immediately seek a doctor.

A lump in the breast is a tissue that grows and develops inside the breast, feeling like a nodule or lump, and can be noticed by the shape or a difference between one breast and the other, as well as by touch. What we women should be aware of is that not every breast lump means we have cancer; there are benign lumps, and in most cases these are what cause alarm. Usually, benign breast lumps are cysts which are easy to treat, or fibroadenoma, and they should not be major causes for concern, but they do require correct treatment and follow-up by a specialist doctor.

Cases of malignant breast lumps present certain characteristics and usually occur in women who already have a family history of breast cancer, especially in first-degree relatives like mothers and sisters. If any difference is noticed in the breast, feeling a lump, the specialist to seek for evaluation is a breast specialist (mastologist). In addition to palpation during the consultation to verify the real need for further tests, the doctor may order a breast ultrasound or a mammogram. Through these additional exams, the doctor can evaluate whether it is a benign or malignant breast lump and recommend the appropriate treatment for the case.

Main Causes of Breast Lumps

During a woman’s life, it is possible to notice a lump in the breast at some stage, mainly due to hormonal variation close to the menstrual period, but these causes have specific names and different treatments.

  • Breast cyst – Cysts usually appear in women over 40 years old and who are entering menopause. These are breast changes that should be evaluated by a specialist, but in 95% of cases do not require specific treatment, as they rarely turn into breast cancer.

  • Fibroadenoma – Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor that usually affects younger women. It rarely becomes cancer, so no specific care is needed, and treatment should only be followed if indicated by a specialist.

  • Fibrocystic changes – These changes usually happen close to the menstrual period and do not require any treatment, as they disappear on their own.

  • Breast injuries – Lumps in the breast can also be considered breast injuries, which are resolved by following treatment with medication prescribed by a specialist.

Another common problem in breast specialists’ offices is lipoma, which is the result of an accumulation of fat in the breast. It is not considered a serious issue but does require surgery to remove the tissue. And when all other possibilities are ruled out, breast cancer may be diagnosed. It characteristically appears as a hard lump in the breast that does not go away after menstruation, as occurs in fibrocystic changes.

Most frequently, cases occur in women over 50 years old and already in menopause. These are usually malignant breast lumps and should be monitored by a breast specialist. The lump can cause pain in the breast, excessive breast enlargement, and an increase in lumps during the menstrual period. The presence of fluid coming out of the nipples may also be noticed, as well as blood, and all these signs should be reported during the consultation with the breast specialist.

Other clear signs of breast cancer are swelling in the armpits, redness and change in breast temperature, as well as excessive sensitivity accompanied by itching. The presence of these symptoms does not mean that the woman has a cancerous breast lump, but it may be a sign of a hormonal alteration or inflammation that needs to be treated. Remember that a breast lump does not appear only in women; it can also occur in men. The symptoms are similar to those in women, and if any change is noticed in the nipple, a breast specialist should be consulted immediately.

See also: Pink October – Breast Cancer Prevention

Photo: Gisela Giardino