Breast Lumps: Things You Need To Know

A breast lump is a tissue growth inside your mammary glands. It can appear in any women at any age. In many, it evokes the fear of cancer. But, many swellings are benign and can be treated successfully. However, to consider one as benign, it should be tested by a physician. Before that, you should know the following facts about lumps.

What Are The Types?

Lumps can be fibrocystic ones, fibroadenomas, and cysts. Fibrocystic ones are common mainly during your reproductive years. They do not aggravate the risk of cancer. Fibroadenomas, also noncancerous, feel rubbery and are easily movable within your mammarian tissue.

The third type is cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs. You can get them drained by the doctor. If the removed fluid is greenish or clear and the lump disappears after draining, you don't need further treatment. With necessary medical tests your doctor can determine which type is it. If it is not possible, it is better to go for a biopsy or remove the cysts altogether.

Know The Causes:

If you have a lump on your chest, the cause may be one of the following:

* Sacs filled with milk that can turn into swellings * Breast cancer * Injury and the resultant collection of blood * A set of fatty tissues, and * A minor growth inside the milk duct.

Recognize The Symptoms:

If your mammaries lose their symmetry, the skin turns red, and you start feeling pain, these are the indications of swelling. You should also notice whether there is inversion of the nipples and over discharge from them.

Ways To Diagnose:

If you opt for regular mammograms and periodical check-ups by the doctor, and carry out self-exam, the swellings can be easily detected.

How Will I Do A Self-Exam?

For a self-exam, first, you should stand in front of a mirror. Then, look at your chest from the following angles: arms at your side, arms behind your head, and arms on hips. Next, you should lie down with a head support under your shoulder and feel your breasts with your hand. After that, you should also see whether there is any nipple discharge.

Go For Prevention:

The following simple methods can keep you away from the discomfort related to the swellings in your breasts:

* Avoiding caffeine and chocolate * Limiting fat and increasing fiber in the diet * Taking vitamin E, vitamin B complex, or evening primrose oil supplements * Exercising regularly * Reducing fat intake, and * Eating lot of fruits, vegetables, and other high fiber foods

Here Is The Treatment:

The treatment of breast lump varies according to the causes. Surgery is needed for the removal of solid swellings. Draining is used to treat cysts. Infections are handled by using antibiotics. If there is a diagnosis of cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, etc, are the options. So, it is important that you pay attention to the breast lump, detect them at the right time, and get them treated.

by : Andrew Stratton
Source : www.amazines.com