Get To Know Your Breasts

            There are plenty of breast lumps that are not caused by breast cancer.  Most breast lumps are actually harmless and benign.  However any breast lump should be carefully checked by a doctor who can do tests and biopsies on the lump.

            Breasts contain primarily lobules or alveoli which are milk producing glands.  The breast’s primary function is to produce milk for babies.  The milk glands are connected by a series of milk ducts that carry milk to the nipple.  These milk glands and ducts look like bunches of grapes and there are about 15 to 20 of them.  Sometimes these milk glands and ducts are organized into clusters and before the monthly period you can feel them as little lumps.  They are normal.

            The space between these lobules is filled with fat and connection tissue.  It’s not true that fat forms the largest part of the breasts.  The breasts are monthly filled with gland tissue.  That is why they feel firm.  When you get older, these ligaments stretch over time and the breast begin to sag.  The breast does not contain any muscle other than tiny ones in the nipples.

            The dark part surrounding the nipple is called the areola.  It grows and gets darker during pregnancy.  The areola contains little bumps called Montgomery glands which produce oil to lubricate it.  The nipple has tiny openings in it to allow milk to flow.

           An infection or inflammation of the breast is called mastitis.  It usually happens especially when breastfeeding.  If your baby nips at your nipple too sharply, or if you get cracks in the nipple for any reason, bacteria can enter the wound and cause infections.  The infection can be:

·        An abscess (pocket of accumulated pus); or

·        Wider area of skin spread known as cellulitis.

Nipple piercing can also cause breast infection.

            If the breast is injured in any way, the blood vessels within them can break, causing an area of localized bleeding.  This is called a hematoma.  The fat calls can also be damaged, leading to call death.  This is called fat necrosis.  Both of these can cause lumps.

            Fibroadenoma is the most common growth.  They usually manifest in women in their 20s and early 30s.  They can also occur when women are younger.  Fibroadenomas are painless, most of the time, they are firm, smooth, and can be rubbery or hard.  Their borders and contours can be felt.  They are usually the size of a marble.  Fibroadenoma usually enlarge during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Surgeons may advise for it to be removed, but the chances that these become cancerous are none.

            Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs.  They are common especially if you are over the age of 35.  The cysts vary in size during menstrual cycle and may be lender.

            Fibrocystic changes are another cause of breast lumps.  The breast feel lumps and almost grainy.  These occur when your breasts are extra-sensitive to fluctuating hormone levels that occur during a menstrual cycle.  These lumps and changes can be quite painful.

            A breast cancer lumps is usually painless.  Sometimes, there can be nipple discharge or inflammation of the breast skin, depending on the type of breast cancer.

Star 2, Thursday 16 January 2014

Health  :  Tell Me About

Dr. Y.L.M

What’s that lumps in my breast’s