Women's Health Blog

Breast cancer is one of the foremost health concerns for women today. It is important to conduct regular self-breast exams to ensure there is nothing unusual, such as some sort of bump. You should also be checked annually by your physician. However, do not start writing your will if you feel something in your breast, as it does not always mean that you have cancer. There are a number of different kinds of breast lumps, many of which are not cancerous.

One such benign breast lumps are breast cysts. It is very common for women to develop cysts (which are sacs of fluid) in their breasts just prior to the onset of menopause. Cysts are a natural phenomenon in the body and are pretty harmless. In fact, they can even be so tiny that you may likely not be able to feel it by just touching or massaging your breasts. Cysts can dissipate naturally. Sometimes doctors will suggest using a needle to drain the fluid.

Another lump that can be found in the breast, and which is akin to cysts, are fibroadenomas. The different between fibroadenomas and cysts, are that this type of lump consists of fibrous and glandular tissue and fluid. This type of lump tends to have a rubbery texture and can even be slightly manipulated. Fibroadenomas can also be removed with a needle. They, too, cause no harm. However, your doctor may prefer to take a sample anyway just to ensure that there is no cancerous material in the lump.

Another way you can develop a lump in your breast is through an injury. This happens when some damage to the inner breast has taken place causing the build up of pockets of fatty tissue in the breast. Or you can develop a lipoma, which is a hardened lump where fat has accumulated in your breast. There are other miscellaneous ways you can develop a lump in your breast. For example, you can have some sort of infection in your breast, such as when you are breastfeeding and your milk ducts get clogged. Medication could also be the culprit. Additionally, various health problems may cause swelling, pain and/or increased sensitivity in your breast.

It is always important to see your doctor immediately if you do find some sort of lump or irregularity in your breast to have it checked out. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially in light of the fact that breast cancer is the leading women’s health issue today. Your doctor can perform a number of diagnostics, including ultrasounds, biopsies, mammograms, and MRIs. This will assist your doctor in better identifying the cause of the lump and the best course of action in dealing with it.

Many lumps found in women’s breasts can simply be treated with medicine. If a cyst is found, as stated above, your doctor will likely drain the fluid with a needle, and that usually resolves the issue. If you have a solid mass, it will likely be removed through surgical means. Remember to perform breast exams regularly and to contact your doctor immediately if you find anything unusual. The sooner you get it checked out, the sooner you can get a positive diagnosis and breathe a sigh of relief.

When a girl reaches her puberty stage, the breasts are the first noticeable features. You will notice that there is a gradual change on its size. Same thing goes for women who are in the pregnancy period. Their breasts will increased in size that are for the purpose of gestation. The breast is the most important part of a woman’s body. That is why there are several ways on how to take good care of your breast.

Using a bra support is a must for every woman. Because breast is made up of mammary gland and fats, there will come a time that it will become sagging as you get older. The collagen becomes thinner making the skin not firm. To prevent from having a sagging breast, it is recommended to practice wearing bra support at your early age or in puberty stage. Be sure to choose the right size of bra that fits you. There are a lot of kind of bras today that can be used that are suitable for any kind of dresses and occasions.

Some women are not satisfied with the size of their breast. That is why some are taking some breast enlargement pills to increase their breast size. These pills commonly have estrogen which allows the production of excessive genes that made some changes in breast size. But having oral pills is not recommended especially when it is taken without doctor’s prescription. Taking too much of estrogen may result on having breast cancer.

Doing a regular breast massage is definitely the best way to have a healthy breast. Thus, it could help the skin to be tighter and also helps to increase the size of your breast.

First thing to do is to relax your body by lying down on the bed. Place your left hand at the back of your head while placing your three fingers with your right hand on top of your left breast. Do it in a clockwise circular motion. Gently and slowly press down your breast by your fingers, rotating, starting from the nipple and massage until you reach your underarm area. Repeat the same procedure to your right breast with your left hand to massage.

This will help you not only to increase the size of your breast but also to know if there is some breast mass that are forming. It could be an early detection measure to prevent from having some breast problems.

Structure of Breast:

Breast consists of two lobes containing mammary glands surrounded by fat tissue and situated in between the Chest skin each gland is called a lobule. There are 15 to 20 lobules in a lobe and produce milk during lactation period, which reaches nipple of the lobe by ducts of the lobules. There are blood vessels and lymph vessels. Lymph is a clear fluid, which is waste product and is drained in the lymph node. Lymph nodes are pea like structures, which filter the lymph. Most of the lymph nodes associated with the breast are in the axial of the arm.

Breast Tumor:

Normally the growth of cells is regulated for specified purposes like growth requirement, replacement of dead or damaged cells. The cells which start growing abnormally and form a bit hard Lump is called Tumor. The Tumors do not have the ability to spread to other parts of body hence are called benign Tumor. The Tumors, which have ability to spread to other organs of body by a process called Metastasis, are called malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are the precursors of Cancer.

The Breast Cancer:

All the tissues are capable of growing into a Cancer. In Breast Cancer it is the Ducts or the Glands which are responsible for Cancer formation and based on the source the Cancer is called ‘Invasive Ductal Carcinoma’ or ‘Invasive Glandular Carcinoma’. Breast Cancer leading to death of Patient takes Second Position the number One being Lung Cancer. Because of fatal prognosis early Diagnosis need of the situation should be stressed upon. Because of sensitive issue the patients do not come forward for a regular checkup and treatment in the early stages.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors:

There are multiple Risk Factors not within the control of a woman leading to incidence of Breast Cancer in women as per details given below:

1. Production of wrong Estrogen and Progesterone metabolites, which instead of excreting out circulate in the blood stream and cause increase in presence of these hormones in the body thus increasing the risk factor.
2. Genetic Mutations predominantly present in certain families increasing the breast Cancer Risk.
3. Use of exogenous hormones increases the Risk of Breast Cancer.
4. The Present age of the woman can also be a risk factor. Girls at the age of Puberty and Old age are more prone to Breast Cancer Risk.

Prevention of Breast Cancer:

Following preventive steps can be taken by the woman, which can considerably reduce the risk factors present in her life:

1. Avoid Taking Hormone Therapy for a long period.
2. Planning birth of her children before the age of 30.
3. Stop taking food containing Refined Sugars.
4. Include lot of Ommega-3 & Antixidants present in foods like Berries, Colorful Vegetables, Beans and Green Tea etc.
5. Avoid taking Alcoholic Drinks.
6. Arrest the weight gain tendencies.

Screening Tests for Breast Cancer:

Breast Self Examination, Cynical Breast examination and Mammography are the screening tests to rule out a cancer of breast, which should be conducted at least every year as a routine. A Mammography can detect a cancer which is small speck in early stages and cannot be felt unless it grows to a harmful stage. The patient is carrying a potential unexploded bomb, why not detect and defuse it in time. I am reminded of a saying ‘A Stitch in Time Saves Nine’. If cancer is detected, treatment should be started immediately,  in consultation with a Specialist.

Prophylactic Approach:

Before the Breast Cancer takes a full bloom status, the Precancerous cells in the Breast Glands and Ducts can be detected and treated. There are certain families, who have a history of breast cancer, and these are potential cases of developing cancer. Tests for mutations can be detected and if present, patient can opt for prophylactic mastectomy after certain rather suffer later on.

Treatment of Breast Cancer:

Treatment recommendations are beyond the scope of the article and advice is given that immediate treatment should be started in consultation with a Cancer Specialist and besides undergo advised investigation schedule to escape the torturous metastasis of cancer to other parts of body.