Breast Lumps

Although women find 90% of breast lumps on their own, it is estimated that only 33% of women actually perform routine breast self exam. Breast self exam (BSE) should be performed on a monthly basis. To view pictures on how to perform a breast self examination click here.

Breast Lumps are very common in women. They occur in teen-aged as well as adult females. They may be more pronounced with:

• Change in menstrual cycle.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Aging.
• Specific dietary intakes.

Most Breast Lumps are benign (not cancerous), but care should be taken to differentiate benign Breast Lumps and a cancerous nodule of the breast. Small breasted females have a higher tendency for appreciable lumpy breasts which are mostly normal fatty lumps of the breast. At times of menstruation, lumps become more prominent in some females but become less lumpy after menses. Chances of having Breast Lumps are higher in women with:

• No children
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Family history of breast cancer
• Small body weight

Classifications of Breast Lumps:

1. Cyst
   1. Usually clear fluid filled sacs
   2. May be tender at menses
   3. Usually occur in both breasts
   4. Usually diagnosed with ultra-sound of the breasts
   5. Treatment is usually observation
2. Fibroadenoma
   1. Usually solid
   2. Easily movable and often painless
   3. Common in teens, 20's and more so in African Americans
   4. Do not become cancerous
   5. Diagnosed with mammograms
   6. May need confirmation with needle biopsy
3. Fat Necrosis
   1. Usually solid, painless, firm lumps
   2. Typically women with large breasts
   3. Associated with trauma, often times nor perceived
   4. Breast skin may look bruised or red
   5. If in doubt, biopsy recommended
4. Sclerosing Adenosis
   1. Painful breast lump
   2. Diagnosed with mammograms as small calcium deposits
   3. Requires surgical biopsy to diagnose
5. Infections
   1. Also known as mastitis
   2. Breast is red, warm, tender, and lumpy
   3. Early diagnosis, needs antibiotics only
   4. Late diagnosis may need additional surgical drainage
6. Ductal Ectasia
   1. Mostly seen in older females (perimenopausal)
   2. Lumps are usually near the nipples
   3. Can produce gray or green nipple discharge
   4. May require antibiotics and / or surgery for treatment