breast cyst or breast cysts are round or oval lumps filled with fluid and grow on the fingersnbro breasts. These lumps do not contain cancer cells or are benign.
Breast cysts can be more than one and grow in one or both breasts. If palpated, breast cysts feel soft like a balloon filled with water. Cysts in the breast can be uncomfortable or painful, depending on the size of the cyst.
The growth of breast cysts is influenced by hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. This condition generally affects women approaching menopause, between the ages of 35-50 years, especially women who are receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Breast Cyst Symptoms
Symptoms of breast cysts are easy to recognize. Generally in the form of the appearance of a lump that is felt in the breast. Here are the characteristics of a breast cyst lump:
- The lump is round or oval and feels easy to shake.
- The lump area feels soft when pressed.
- Prior to menstruation, the lump appears to be getting bigger. The lump will shrink back after menstruation.
In addition to the appearance of lumps, breast cysts can also cause breast pain and discharge from the nipples to clear, yellow, or brownish-colored fluid.
When to go to the doctor
Although generally benign and do not contain cancer cells, not all lumps in the breast are cysts. Therefore, an examination to the doctor needs to be done if there is a lump that appears to know for sure the type and cause of the lump.
You are recommended to undergo SADANIS (clinical breast examination) by a doctor periodically to detect symptoms of breast abnormalities as early as 20 years of age. SADANIS is done every 1-3 years on the 7th to 10th day of the first day of menstruation.
Causes of Breast Cysts
The exact cause of breast cysts is not known. However, cysts grow due to fluid that collects in the breast glands.
In addition, the appearance of cysts is also related to hormonal changes in women, especially in the monthly menstrual cycle. The growth of cysts is thought to be related to high levels of the hormone estrogen in the body. This condition triggers changes in breast tissue and glands to form cysts.
Breast Cyst Diagnosis
To ensure that the type of lump in the breast is a cyst, the doctor will start the diagnosis by examining the patient's symptoms and medical history.
Then, a physical examination will also be carried out as a whole, especially in the breast. This is done to find out if there are other abnormalities in the growing lump and part of the breast.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will also perform a follow-up examination. The inspection includes:
Scan breast
Scans can be done by mammography or breast ultrasound methods. Mammography can detect any compaction of tissue or changes in the breast glands, while an ultrasound scan of the breast can help doctors determine whether the lump is a cyst or a solid breast tumor.
Fine needle aspiration
Fine needle aspiration is done by inserting a needle into the lump in the breast to extract the fluid inside. This examination is also often done with the help of ultrasound so that the needle can be entered correctly.
Depending on the type of fluid that comes out of the fine needle aspiration procedure, the doctor may perform other additional tests. One of them is a breast biopsy.
Breast Cyst Treatment
Breast cysts generally do not require special treatment and can heal on their own. However, if the cyst is painful, the following things can be done as an initial home treatment:
- Compressing breastsCompressing the breast with warm or cold water can help relieve pain from the cyst.
- Avoid caffeine consumptionIn some sufferers, the pain in the breast can be reduced when they do not consume caffeine.
- hitit's a comfortable braWearing a bra that can support your breasts comfortably can reduce the discomfort you feel.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relieversSome types of pain relievers, such as paracetamol, can relieve breast pain due to cysts.
If a breast cyst doesn't go away, gets bigger over time, and starts to bother you, your doctor may recommend some of the following treatment methods:
- TherapyhormoneThis method is only recommended for patients with breast cysts with a high severity given the significant side effects. Examples of drugs used in hormone therapy are birth control pills or tamoxifen.
- Fine needle aspirationTaking the cyst fluid with a fine needle is done to suck all the fluid in the breast. However, this method may need to be done several times because the cyst can still grow back.
- OperationSurgical removal of the cyst is only done if the breast cysts come and go for months, the cyst fluid contains blood, or the lump shows characteristics that are feared to be malignant (cancerous).
Breast Cyst Complications
It is important to do a doctor's examination because not all breast cysts are benign cysts. Although rare, some growing cysts can be a symptom of a serious disease, such as breast cancer. Breast cysts can also become infected by bacteria and turn into a breast abscess.
Breast Cyst Prevention
Breast cysts are generally not a serious and dangerous condition. Even so, a doctor's examination still needs to be done. Because the exact cause is not known, the prevention of breast cysts is also unknown.
In addition to undergoing SADANIS as previously described, every woman needs to do BSE or breast self-examination to detect lumps in the breasts as early as possible. BSE is done on the 7th to 10th day after the first day of menstruation every month.