Lump in the Breast

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. Usually the condition presents itself as a lump in the breast and is often overlooked. A lump is an abnormal mass, which can occur in any part of the body. It is detected by palpating breasts.

Studies have shown that not all lumps are cancerous.

Breast self-palpation

The breast self-palpation is a method through which you can examine your breasts to clear your doubt.

Stand in front of the mirror. Compare both the breasts. Palpate them; press all parts of the breasts, so that if you feel any discomfort you can report the same to your doctor. Check out if there is any discharge from the nipples.

If you find a lump in your breast you should first evaluate it.

Try to feel the lump and where it is located.

Check the other breast also in the same area.

If the other breast also feels the same, it could be due to hormonal changes.

If the area becomes harder or increases in size, consult your doctor immediately as most of the cancerous lumps are stony hard lumps.

When your breasts feel lumpy

Your breasts may feel lumpy a few days before your periods, and sometimes after menopause. This is normal. 80 percent of all breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous).

Sometimes women have a lump known as "fibrocystic condition". Fibro cyst is a cystic (fluid filled) area, which can develop found in either one or both of the breasts. It is a common lesion causing pain, tenderness of the breasts and fullness in the part of the breast close to the armpit.

Premenopausal women have incidence of benign (non-cancerous) lumps whereas in postmenopausal women, the odds are higher that it could be cancer, but it also could be one of the benign lumps that come with menopausal hormonal changes.

What to do if you have a lump

'Consult your doctor, who will do a breast palpation test and then recommend one of these tests.

Mammography: an x-ray to detect breast cancer.

FNAC: a needle is inserted into the lump to pull out cells that are viewed under the microscope for signs of malignancy.

Biopsy: a piece of the lesion is cut and observed under microscope for signs of malignancy.

Chances of developing a cancerous lump are low if you:

· quit smoking

· avoid or restrict alcohol

· exercise regularly

· eat a balanced, varied high-fiber, low-red-meat, and low-fat diet

· breast-feeding

When in doubt consult your doctor and go for tests regularly

If you are planning to go for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discuss it with your doctor because the estrogen supplements, given during this therapy, may be associated with breast and endometrial cancer.

Risk factors

In some situations the risk of lump developing into cancer may be high. Below is a table complied by the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society. As this data is produced based on a study done on American women, this may or may not apply to women all over the world.

IF YOU HAVE		YOUR RISK IS	THAN IF YOU HAVE
Mother diagnosed with breast cancer before age 60		2 time higher	No first-degree relatives (mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer)
Two first-degree relatives with breast cancer		4-6 times higher
Your first period at age 11-14		30% higher	Your first period at 16
First child born: age 25-29		60% higher	First child born before age 20
Age 30 or older (or never pregnant)		90% higher
Menopause at age 55 or older		50% higher	Menopause at 45-54
Before age 45		30% lower
Benign breast disease		50% higher	No benign breast disease
A weight problem (heaviest 10% of women) - age 50 or older		20% higher	A desirable weight (thinnest 10% of women)
Current use of birth control pills		50% higher	Never used birth control pills
Past use of birth control pills		No higher
Current use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Specifically estrogen age under 55		20% higher	Never used HRT
Age 55-59		50% higher
Age 60 or older		2.1 times higher
Past use of HRT		No higher
1 alcoholic drink a day		40% higher	No alcoholic-beverage use
2 drinks a day		70% higher
3 drinks a day		2 times higher