Important information about lumps in the breast

Finding a lump in your breast can make you anxious. Maybe you already think that the lump is breast cancer. But don't worry, breast lumps are not always cancerous. This condition could be something else, such as a breast tumor that is not serious.

So, what are the characteristics of a lump in the breast, including a tumor and how to distinguish it from cancer? What types of benign tumors can occur in the breast?

What are the characteristics of benign breast lumps and tumors?

Lumps in the breast can happen to anyone, both women and men. A lump can usually be felt when a specific area of ​​the breast is swollen and protruding.

The American Cancer Society says that most changes or lumps in the breast, including tumors, are benign. However, it does not rule out that the lump that appears is cancer.

The definition of a tumor is a mass of tissue that grows abnormally. Broadly speaking, there are two types of tumors, namely non-cancerous tumors or benign tumors and tumors that are cancerous or also known as malignant tumors.

To find out whether the lump is benign or not, it is generally necessary to have a medical examination. However, there are several characteristics of benign tumors in the breast that you need to know and pay attention to for early detection of breast cancer.

Here are some of the characteristics of noncancerous tumors in the breast:

• Tends to move or slide easily when touched.
• Have clear boundaries.
• It is oval or round (usually feels like marbles).
• Its appearance tends to follow the menstrual cycle.
• It can be painful or not at all.
• Slow growth.

When to go to the doctor

Whatever symptoms and changes in your breasts you feel, you should immediately see a doctor. However, you need to be aware of some of the symptoms and features that may be associated with malignant tumors or breast cancer, such as lumps that don't go away after menstruation, lumps growing bigger and faster, changes in breast skin, and other symptoms of breast cancer.

If these symptoms have appeared, there is no need to delay seeing a doctor. The sooner you see the doctor, the sooner your problem will be resolved.

What are the causes of benign breast lumps and tumors?

The appearance of lumps and tumors in the breast can occur for several reasons. Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, here are some of the causes for the appearance of breast lumps or tumors:

• Breast tissue changes.
• Breast infection.
• Scar tissue from a breast injury.
• Hormonal fluctuations, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
• Medicines that may cause breast tumors or pain, such as birth control pills and hormone therapy.
• Caffeinated drinks.

Types of lumps and tumors in the breast

Lumps in the breasts can be detected when you do a breast self-examination (BSE). However, it is not necessarily that the lump you feel is cancer. Several types of lumps and tumors that may appear in the breast include:

1. Fibrocystic

Most breast lumps are fibrocystic breast changes. This condition affects about 50-60 percent of women worldwide.

Fibrocystic is a condition when fluid-filled cysts form along with areas of fibrosis in one or both areas of the breast. Fibrosis is a thickening of the breast tissue, so it feels a little hard or chewy and can generally be felt by touch.

Apart from swelling of the breasts, fibrocystic changes may also cause pain or even discharge from the nipple. Fibrosis can also occur on its own without any cysts forming.

These breast changes generally occur in premenopausal women due to hormonal changes. This condition can worsen before your menstrual period and improve after the period ends.

Therefore, fibrocystic breast changes generally do not require medical treatment. This condition is not a risk factor for breast cancer.

2. Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma or mammary fibroadenoma is a type of benign tumor most often experienced by women. Fibroadenoma is a tumor consisting of glandular tissue and stromal (connective) tissue, which generally occurs due to changes in hormone levels.

The characteristics of this tumor lump, which tends to be round like a marble and has a clear border. If pressed, the lump can shift, is generally hard, firm, or rubbery, and does not cause pain.

Sometimes, fibroadenoma tumors stop growing or shrink on their own. In this condition, you may not need any medical treatment.

However, this lump can continue to grow until it becomes very large, or it is called giant fibroadenoma . In this condition, doctors generally recommend removing the lump.

Fibroadenomas can be experienced by women at any age, but this condition is often found in women aged 20-30 years. Lumps in the breast generally will not develop into cancer.

3. Intraductal papilloma

An intraductal papilloma is a lump or benign, noncancerous tumor that grows inside the milk ducts of the breast (ductal). This type of tumor consists of glandular tissue, fibrous tissue, and blood vessels.

Usually the intraductal papilloma is palpable as a large enough lump near the nipple, or called solitary papilloma . However, intraductal papillomas can also take the form of several small bumps that are located far from the nipple, or are called multiple papillomas.

Solitary papilloma generally does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer, unless other breast changes appear, such as atypical hyperplasia. As for atypical hyperplasia, which is a precancerous condition that describes a collection of abnormal cells in the breast.

While multiple papillomas generally can increase a person developing breast cancer at a later date. Therefore, although it is benign, this type of tumor needs to be removed through a surgical procedure. The intraductal papilloma often occurs in women aged 35-55 years.

4.Traumatic fat necrosis (traumatic fat necrosis)

Traumatic fat necrosis occurs when there is injury to the breast as a result of injury, after breast surgery, or radiation therapy. This condition causes damaged breast tissue and scar tissue to replace the breast tissue.

The result is a hard, round lump that feels painful. Apart from lumps, breasts can also secrete fluids that are not milk.

This type of lump is more common in women with very large breasts and does not generally increase the risk of breast cancer.

5. Lipoma

The other tumor in the breast is a lipoma. Lipomas are slow-growing lumps of fat that are most often located between the skin and the muscle layer.

Lipomas can grow in any part of the body, including the breasts. These lumps are not cancerous and are usually harmless.

This condition is usually characterized by various symptoms, such as a lump that is soft and somewhat solid to the touch, can move when touched, is generally less than 5 cm in size, and can be painful or not.

6. Breast cysts

Another common form of breast lump is a breast cyst. In general, breast cysts are different from tumors.

If the tumor is an area of ​​tissue that has grown abnormally, the cyst is a lump or pocket filled with fluid. However, sometimes the two are still difficult to distinguish without a medical examination.

Breast cyst lumps are generally round or oval filled with fluid. They can be very small, but they can also be so large that you will feel the lumps when you touch them.

Cysts can also be painful, feel tender, and can move when touched. These symptoms can worsen as menstruation approaches.

Breast cysts can occur at any age. However, this condition is most often found in women in their 40s. Like some benign tumors, breast cysts do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

7. Breast cancer

Breast cancer lumps are also called malignant tumors. This type of lump is the most worrying because it can be life threatening.

Malignant breast tumors can originate in the milk ducts (ducts), mammary glands (lobules), or the connective tissue in them. The infected tissue determines the type of breast cancer you have.

From these tissues, cancer cells in the tumor can develop rapidly and spread to the surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes, and even to other organs (metastasis).

If it has metastasized, the chances of recovery will be very low. Conversely, if the breast cancer lump is found early, the chances of a cure will be greater. Therefore, it is important to always detect breast cancer early.

Breast cancer lumps can appear along with other breast cancer symptoms, such as changes in the nipple or breast skin, discharge from the nipple, and other abnormal changes.

What should be done when a lump or tumor appears in the breast?

You may panic once you find a lump in your breast. If this happens to you, stay calm and it's best to follow the steps below to make sure.

• Check your breasts again

You should check again by feeling into all parts of the breast, both on the left and right. In order for the results to be valid, do the examination after or long before your menstrual schedule. Also check if there are other symptoms besides the lump in your breast.

• Check your menstrual calendar again

If you find a lump, try to check your menstrual calendar again. It could be that this lump is just a sign you are going to menstruate.

• Consultation with a doctor

If you still feel uncomfortable and worried about the tumor lump in the breast, you should immediately consult a doctor to be sure.

When consulting your doctor, you may need to have some breast cancer tests, such as a mammography, breast MRI, or breast ultrasound, especially if your lump is suspected to be a serious condition. Other tests, such as a ductogram, may also be needed if you experience symptoms of nipple discharge.

You may also need a breast biopsy or other tests if a tumor is found, to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant.

However, don't worry, most of the results of these tests indicate that a tumor that appears in the breast is not linked to cancer. Always consult with your doctor about the examination tests that are right for you.

How are benign breast lumps and tumors treated?

Some benign breast lumps and tumors generally do not require medical treatment. The reason is, some lumps, such as fibrocystic, can go away on their own after your menstrual period.

However, some lumps and tumors may also need medical treatment because they are feared to get bigger and can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Treatment may also be needed if you feel pain or discomfort in your breasts.

Some medications and drugs that may be given to treat breast lumps or tumors, namely:

• Aspiration of a fine needle or fine-needle aspiration . This treatment is to remove fluid-filled cysts.
• Surgery or surgery to remove a lump or tumor in the breast (lumpectomy).
• Oral antibiotics to treat infections.

Although most do not need treatment, some people with certain types of lumps and tumors, such as fibroadenomas, may need regular medical examinations. This is necessary to see if the existing tumor grows bigger and thus requires treatment.

Consult with your doctor how regularly you need to undergo this examination.

How to prevent lumps and tumors in the breast?

Basically, lumps and tumors in the breast cannot be prevented. Because, this is often related to hormone levels which are already common in women.

However, it is important to recognize your breasts by having regular breast self-exams (BSE). This can help you find a lump or tumor early so that treatment can be done immediately, if needed.

If the lump is cancer-related, BSE can help prevent your breast cancer from getting worse.

Apart from BSE, you also need to continue to adopt a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and eat a balanced nutritious diet. In fact, a study found that consuming certain drinks, such as tea, is believed to help prevent tumors in the breast.

According to a study published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics in 2017, it is possible that changes in gene activity in the body of women who regularly drink tea. In this study, the changes that occur are closely related to regulating levels of the female hormone estrogen.

Thus, women who drink tea can prevent breast tumors from growing, which can be caused by excess estrogen production. However, experts still need further research to understand exactly what the relationship between the nutrients and ingredients in tea looks like and changes in genes in the woman's body.