A lump in the breast does not always lead to a dangerous condition, such as breast cancer. However, these bumps still need to be watched out for. The reason is, lumps in the breast that are dangerous and harmless can show characteristics that are similar to each other.
Most lumps in the breast appear as a result of harmless things, such as the menstrual cycle and hormonal changes. In addition, the lump can also be related to a blocked milk duct, infection, or injury to the breast.
Usually, a harmless breast lump will shrink or disappear on its own. However, in certain cases, a lump in the breast can be caused by a more serious condition, such as breast cancer.
This condition is more at risk for women who have a history of irregular menstrual cycles or a family history of breast cancer.
Therefore, it is important for you to recognize what types of lumps in the breast you need to watch out for so that they can be treated quickly and appropriately.
Beware of Non-cancerous Breast Lumps
There are several causes of breast lumps that are not cancerous or benign, including:
1. Breast cyst
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs in breast tissue that are benign. This condition is most common in women over the age of 35. Usually the lump of the cyst feels smooth and firm.
Before the menstrual period, the size of breast cysts can increase rapidly due to hormonal changes. These breast lumps will usually shrink or disappear after the menstrual period ends.
2. Fibrocystic breasts
Fibrocystic breast changes can also occur due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. This condition is more common in women aged 30-50 years.
With these changes, the breasts feel supple, full, enlarged, and painful before menstruation and tend to improve after the menstrual cycle.
3. Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is a benign breast lump that is often experienced by adolescent girls to adult women aged around 30-35 years. A lump in the breast caused by a fibroadenoma is usually firm, smooth, painless or only slightly tender, and moves easily to the touch. The size also varies, it can be small, but it can also be large.
The cause of the appearance of fibroadenoma lumps is still not known with certainty. However, there are several factors that can put a woman at higher risk for this condition, including pregnancy, menstruation, or the side effects of hormone therapy and birth control pills.
4. Breast infection
Breast infection or mastitis is most often experienced by breastfeeding mothers. Infection or inflammation in the breast can occur when the nipple skin is injured or cracked, so that bacteria can easily enter the breast tissue.
Breast infections are usually a lump filled with pus or a red swelling in the breast area. Breast lumps due to infection may be painful, hot, and accompanied by fever.
Lump in the Breast that Needs to be Watched
In addition to the various causes above, lumps in the breast can also sometimes be caused by a dangerous condition, namely breast cancer. Here are some characteristics of lumps in the breast that should be suspected as breast cancer:
- A firm breast lump or new breast thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- The lump spreads to other locations, such as the armpit, chest, or neck
- Lumps don't go away after menstruation
- The lump changes shape or grows bigger
- Bruised breasts for no apparent reason
- Changes in the skin of the breast, such as itching, redness, scaling, or puckering like an orange peel
- Interested nipples
- Nipple discharge, such as blood, pus, or milk-like fluid
In addition, you should also be alert if you experience other symptoms of breast cancer, such as weight loss for no apparent reason. Similarly, if you have risk factors for breast cancer, for example, have a biological family history of having been diagnosed with breast cancer.
If you experience symptoms of a lump in the breast, both benign and dangerous, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause.
Early Detection to Beware of Lumps in the Breast
Lumps in the breast need to be detected and treated as early as possible. The reason is, if it is cancerous, the lump will continue to grow and attack the surrounding normal tissue, or even spread to other organs, such as the lungs and brain.
To detect breast lumps at home, you can do it independently with Breast Self-Examination (BSE). This is important to do as an early detection effort to be aware of lumps in the breast.
In addition, you can also check with a doctor to determine whether the lump in the breast is benign or dangerous.
To be sure, the doctor may suggest a breast examination, such as a physical examination, biopsy, mammography, and radiological examinations, such as CT-scan and MRI. If needed, the doctor may also perform additional tests, such as tumor markers.
Whatever the cause, lumps in the breast are important to be detected and treated early. To treat a lump in the breast that is benign, the doctor can provide treatment, surgery, or maybe just monitoring until the lump goes away on its own.
However, if the lump is malignant, the doctor may suggest surgery and breast cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Therefore, if you experience a lump in the breast, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause and undergo appropriate treatment.