Discovering a lump in your breast does necessarily mean that you have cancer. Here’s what you should know.
You’re standing in the shower, performing a self-exam when you notice a lump. Now what? We know that discovering any changes in your breasts can be disconcerting, as most women assume that it’s cancer. The good news is that most lumps and bumps our Berwyn, IL, surgeons evaluate are not cancerous, but are actually the cause of benign breast disease.
What is benign breast disease?
You may be surprised to discover that both men and women can develop benign breast disease. This simply means that you’re prone to noncancerous breast lumps. What is typically the cause of these benign lumps? Fluctuating hormones.
There are many different kinds of benign breast disease. Some of the most common types of benign breast disease include:
- Cysts
- Fibroadenomas
- Hyperplasia
- Fibrocystic breast changes (often happens around menstruation)
- Mammary duct ectasis (more common in menopausal and postmenopausal women)
Who develops benign breast disease?
As we said, this condition can impact both men and women. You may be more likely to have this condition if:
- You have a family history of benign breast disease (or breast cancer)
- You’re undergoing hormone replacement therapy or taking hormonal birth control
- You are experiencing a hormonal imbalance
- You develop an infection of the breast (mastitis)
What are the signs of benign breast disease?
Along with lumps or changes in the overall texture or feeling of the breasts, you may also notice:
- Changes in the breast’s shape or size
- Breast pain
- Discharge from the nipple
- Inverted nipples
- Dimpling of the breasts
How is benign breast disease treated?
Most cases don’t require treatment; however, if you have a cyst or an infection of the breast, these will require proper treatment. Our Berwyn, IL, surgical team can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection or to drain any cysts that are present. Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove a lump.
While most lumps are noncancerous, it’s still important that you turn to our Berwyn, IL, doctors for an evaluation. After all, if it is cancer it’s important to catch it early. If you notice any changes in the shape or health of your breasts, call Suburban Surgical Associates/Suburban Metabolic Institute today at (708) 484-0621.