A lump in the breast can be frightening.
Most breast lumps, however, are benign and not cancerous. Many women experience benign breast lumps due to normal hormonal changes. These lumps usually disappear on their own.
It’s important to always have breast lumps examined by a physician to determine if they are cancerous or benign.
Breast Lumps – Identifying malignant breast lumps
Breast cancer is a cancerous lump that can spread to different parts of the body when left untreated. Malignant lumps can be hard and fixed. They do not move or change when touched. Other symptoms may include skin changes, nipple drainage, or swelling of the lymph nodes or arm.
You should seek medical help immediately if you suspect you have a malignant lump in your breast. Your doctor will likely order a breast biopsy to determine whether the lump is malignant and, if it is, which type of cancer. Your doctor can then recommend the best treatment plan for you based on this information.
Regular breast cancer screening can be very important.
Understanding Benign Breast Lumps
Non-cancerous breast lumps can develop in breast tissue. These lumps are typically round, smooth and mobile. They are frequently found by women when they perform self-examinations.
Common breast lumps include
- Fibrocystic Changes: The breast tissue may feel lumpy or ropey, with swelling, tenderness and pain.
- Cysts are small sacs filled with fluid that can develop in breast tissue. They are typically round, painless and mobile.
- Fibroadenomas are round, firm lumps which are normally painless and mobile. Most common among women younger than 30.
Long-term risk of breast cancer after benign breast disease
A recent study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that women who have a history of benign lumps on the breast may be more likely to develop breast cancer.
This study aimed to determine if benign breast diseases increased the risk of breast cancer with time. Researchers analyzed the data of over 778,000 Spanish women aged 50-69 years who had participated in mammographic screens between 1996 and 2015
Women with a past history of benign lumps in the breast had a 1,77-fold higher risk of breast cancer than women without such a history. This equates to 25 breast cancer diagnosis out of 1,000 women with a benign breast history, compared to 15 diagnoses of breast cancer out of 1,000 women without a benign breast history.
The study found that the elevated risk persisted for as long as two decades.
Plans for Personalized Screening
This research confirms the importance of developing personalized screening strategies that are tailored to the unique risk factors of each individual.
Your plan should consider factors like your age, family history, breast biopsies, lumps and other medical conditions.
Some women will need more frequent mammograms or ultrasounds. Others may only require a self-exam and a visit to the doctor every year.
Based on your personal medical history and risk factors, you can ask your doctor what’s best for you.
Mammograms and regular self-examinations can detect breast lumps at an early stage, when they’re most treatable. You should consult your doctor immediately if you notice a lump in your breast tissue or any other abnormal or worrying changes. Early detection of breast cancer and treatment will greatly increase your chances of full recovery.