Disorders Of The Breast

ANSWERS

Breast disorders can be noncancerous (benign) or malignant (cancerous) (malignant). The majority are noncancerous and do not pose a threat to one’s life. They frequently do not require treatment. Breast cancer, on the other hand, can result in the loss of a breast or of life. As a result, breast cancer is many women’s greatest fear. Potential problems, on the other hand, are frequently detected early when women do the following:

are examined regularly by their doctor
Mammograms are recommended.
Early detection of breast cancer can be critical to treatment success.

Women should be aware of changes in or around their nipples, and men should be aware of changes in or around their nipples. If a woman notices a change, she should perform a breast self-exam. Women should immediately report any changes to a healthcare practitioner. Most medical organizations no longer recommend breast self-examinations on a monthly or weekly basis as a common way to screen for cancer. Doing these exams when there is no lump or other change does not aid in the early detection of breast cancer in women who have regular screening mammograms.

Breast symptoms do not always indicate that a woman has breast cancer or another serious condition. Monthly breast tenderness due to hormonal changes before a menstrual period, for example, does not indicate a serious disorder.

Women should, however, consult their doctor if they notice any changes in their breasts, particularly any of the following:

A lump or thickened area of breast tissue that feels distinct from the rest of the breast tissue
A lump that is adhered to the skin or the chest wall
A lump that refuses to go away
Swelling that does not subside.
Pitting, puckering, reddening, thickening, or dimpling of the breast skin
Skin scaly around the nipple
Breast morphology changes
Nipple changes, such as being pulled inward
Discharge from the nipple, particularly if bloody or spontaneous (without the nipple being squeezed or stimulated in any other way).

Doctors question the woman about her symptoms and other information related to possible causes, such as

What are the symptoms?

How long has the woman had the symptoms?
Whether or not the symptoms occur at specific times of the month (related to the menstrual cycle)
Whether she has a nipple discharge, and if so, what it looks like
Whether or not she is pregnant
What drugs does she use?
Whether she or a family member has been diagnosed with breast cancer
When was her most recent mammogram, and what were the results?
Breast cancer screening

A breast examination is performed. The doctor examines the woman’s breasts while sitting or lying down, looking for irregular shapes, an inverted nipple, and lumps. The doctor also examines the skin over the breast for dimpling, thickening, redness, or tightening. To check for discharge, the doctor applies pressure around the nipples. The discharge is examined to see if it contains blood. Lymph nodes in the armpits are examined for enlargement.

The doctor may examine the woman’s breasts and armpits in various positions. For example, she may be asked to press her palms together in front of her brow while sitting. This position causes the chest muscles to contract and highlights subtle changes in the breast.

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