Breast Lump Diagnosis Breast lumps are perhaps one of the most common reasons for a woman to visit her doctor.
It has been estimated that up to 50% of all women experience breast lumps at some stage.
Each woman should be familiar with her breasts, and can easily detect any changes which may occur.
Changes particularly should be further investigated to rule out breast cancer, particularly with advancing age.
This is particularly so if the changes persist from period to period.
Many women will palpate their breasts- before their period- precisely the time when non-cyclic changes are difficult to find.
When a woman has breast pain only, her breasts should be examined after her next period, if the problem has not been resolved.
All breast changes need a thorough evaluation - even if they follow the 'typical hormonal' pattern of worsening premenstrually.
If you are not happy with your doctor, get a second or even third opinion.
I've heard on more than one occasion patients tell me: "It was never picked up until I had the lump (and a suspicion) for twelve months", or "my practitioner said that there was no need for concern", yet the patient was worried sick for many months after her visit.
This is an area where diagnosis and early detection makes all the difference.
And can literally make the difference between life and death! What if I find a dominant lump or a thickened area in my breast? The discovery of a dominant lump suggests the need to have it checked out carefully by your doctor or Specialist.
You may have one of the following:
What was the date of your last menstrual period? When did you discover the lump?Has it grown larger or smaller since you first discovered it? Have you had lumps like this before? Have you had any previous biopsy or surgery to the breast? Is there any family history of breast problems? What does the lump feel like, hard, soft, grainy, and attached or loose? Are you taking any medications/including the pill? Do you have any discharge from the nipple? On average, about one in every five to six lumps is malignant, and the incidence increases with age.
You will have noticed this on the chart above, the higher the age, the increasing chance of breast cancer.
It has been estimated that up to 50% of all women experience breast lumps at some stage.
Each woman should be familiar with her breasts, and can easily detect any changes which may occur.
Changes particularly should be further investigated to rule out breast cancer, particularly with advancing age.
This is particularly so if the changes persist from period to period.
Many women will palpate their breasts- before their period- precisely the time when non-cyclic changes are difficult to find.
When a woman has breast pain only, her breasts should be examined after her next period, if the problem has not been resolved.
All breast changes need a thorough evaluation - even if they follow the 'typical hormonal' pattern of worsening premenstrually.
If you are not happy with your doctor, get a second or even third opinion.
I've heard on more than one occasion patients tell me: "It was never picked up until I had the lump (and a suspicion) for twelve months", or "my practitioner said that there was no need for concern", yet the patient was worried sick for many months after her visit.
This is an area where diagnosis and early detection makes all the difference.
And can literally make the difference between life and death! What if I find a dominant lump or a thickened area in my breast? The discovery of a dominant lump suggests the need to have it checked out carefully by your doctor or Specialist.
You may have one of the following:
- A well defined breast lump which may be a fibroadenoma, a cyst or a lipoma (fatty cyst)
- A less well defined area of thickness or lumpiness
- An immobile, hard, non-discrete area - may be a cancer
What was the date of your last menstrual period? When did you discover the lump?Has it grown larger or smaller since you first discovered it? Have you had lumps like this before? Have you had any previous biopsy or surgery to the breast? Is there any family history of breast problems? What does the lump feel like, hard, soft, grainy, and attached or loose? Are you taking any medications/including the pill? Do you have any discharge from the nipple? On average, about one in every five to six lumps is malignant, and the incidence increases with age.
You will have noticed this on the chart above, the higher the age, the increasing chance of breast cancer.
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