What Else a Lump Could Be

Even if you discover something unusual during your BSE, dont panic. Many women have harmless breast conditions, and 8 out of 10 lumps turn out to be noncancerous, when biopsied.

One thing you may detect is a thickening in the breasts. This is often the result of a fibrocystic condition marked by localized solid or fluid-filled lumps that form and swell somewhat during the premenstrual period. Because this condition affects at least half of all women at some point in their lives, it is considered a change rather than a disease. Fibrocystic changes are most common during the child-bearing years, but can appear at any age. Though fibrocystic lumps pose no threat to your health and most researchers believe the condition is too widespread to be considered a risk for cancer, the lumps are often difficult to distinguish from malignancies and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Benign lumps also come in other shapes and sizes:

Cysts are smooth, fluid-filled sacs that can be soft or firm. They are often sensitive to the touch during the premenstrual period. Cysts are typically found in both breasts and appear most often when a woman is 35 to 50 years of age.

Fibroadenomas are composed of fibrous and glandular tissue. They feel solid, round, and rubbery. They often move freely and are painless to the touch. These lumps appear most often in women under the age of 30 and are more common in African American women. Although they are benign, most doctors recommend that they be removed since they will not clear up on their own and may continue to grow -- especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Lipomas are single, painless lumps that most often appear in older women. Varying in size from a dime to a quarter, they are composed of fatty tissue. They are slow-growing, soft, and movable. Doctors often recommend laboratory examination of a sample of the tissue (a biopsy), or complete removal, to confirm a diagnosis.

Intraductal papillomas are small, wart-like growths in the milk ducts near the nipple. These nodules often develop near the edge of the nipple and can cause it to bleed.

Though these conditions are no cause for alarm, only your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Be sure that he or she knows about any change in your breasts -- no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. If you are still menstruating, the doctor may advise you to monitor the lump for one or two cycles to see if it varies with your normal hormonal fluctuations. If you are past menopause, immediate evaluation may be necessary, since older women are at higher risk for breast cancer.

A monthly BSE is a womans first line of defense. It is especially important for younger women and is crucial for detecting changes that may develop between annual medical checkups. Nevertheless, BSE is not a substitute for clinical examinations and regular screening mammograms. All women should have a doctor examine their breasts every year as part of their annual checkup. If your physician skips your breast exam, ask for one.

Your annual checkup is also an ideal time to learn how to perform a BSE. Ask your doctor to demonstrate the technique, then repeat it so he or she can see whether youre doing it correctly. BSE training also may be available through health education classes at your local hospital, womens center, or corporate wellness program.

From: Yahoo Health