BREAST LUMP DEFINITION:
A breast lump is a tissue growth that appears inside your breast. Finding a lump in your breast can be a scary and worrying experience. Although the majority of breast lumps are not harmful, it is crucial to see your doctor right away to get them checked out.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Your breast tissue may typically feel lumpy or ropy, and you may experience intermittent soreness related to your menstrual cycle.
You may have modifications to how your breasts typically feel if you have an underlying breast problem, such as:
- a solid, rounded, and smooth breast bulge
- a huge lump that feels solid and glides easily under your skin
- a breast bulge that is firm and asymmetrical
- Redness or orange-like dimples on the skin
- breast size or shape changes
- Your nipple is dripping fluid.
CAUSES OF BREAST LUMPS:
- Breast tumors. A cyst, which is a dilated milk duct packed with fluid, may be present if you discover a breast lump that feels spherical, smooth, and solid. Breast tissue around a breast cyst may be painful, and it might be large or little. Before your menstruation, a breast cyst may develop and then get smaller or go away.
- Breast fibrocyst changes. You might have fullness in your breasts, along with lumpy or ridgelike areas, if you have fibrocystic breast alterations. Your breasts could feel sensitive. Many women have fibrocystic breast alterations associated with their menstrual cycles, which usually become better following the cycle.
- Fibroadenomas. Fibroadenomas are smooth, solid, non-cancerous breast tumors that move readily when touched under the skin. An expanding fibroadenoma is possible. Pregnancy, hormone therapy use, and menstruation are examples of factors that could contribute to the growth of fibroadenomas.
- Infections and wounds. A breast lump might be caused by a severe injury to your breast tissue or the adjacent nerves. This disorder is known by doctors as fat necrosis. Breast lumps can also result from an accumulation of contaminated fluid (abscess) in the breast tissue; these lumps are frequently accompanied by localized breast pain and skin inflammation.
- Cancer of the breast A painless, hard, irregularly shaped breast lump that differs from surrounding breast tissue could be breast cancer. The skin over the lump may appear red, dimpled, or pitted, similar to orange skin. Your breast size and shape may change, and you may experience nipple discharge.
WHAT TREATMENT AND TEST CAN I TAKE?
You can only know what tests you might require and what kind of breast tumor you have by visiting your doctor for an evaluation.
