What is Breast Lumps?
A breast lump is an enlargement, swell, protuberance or a bump that is different than the breast tissue surrounding it. Breast lumps can appear in men as well as women and they can be benign or malignant.
Since all of these lumps mean different things, their treatment varies. It is important to note that all breast lumps do not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer, and it’s vital not to panic,but breast lumps can also be a sign of cancer.
Common Causes Lumps on breast
There are various possible causes for breast lump:
- Hamartoma: Whose developments is similar to a benign tumour
- Milk cysts: Suggesting to sacs loaded up with milk that can happen during breastfeeding
- Lipoma: Which is a moderate developing, noncancerous, fatty lump
- Breast cysts: Which are liquid-filled soft sacs
- Fibroadenoma: Which means noncancerous rubbery bumps that move effectively within the breast tissue and seldom become dangerous
- Intraductal papilloma: Attributing to a small, non-harmful tumour in a milk duct
- Fibrocystic breast: A condition wherein breast tissue feels uneven in surface and is in some cases joined by pain
- Breast Injury:If your lump is caused due to an injury or trauma to the breasts
- Mastitis: If you are currently breast feeding, your lump may be the result of mastitis, which is an infection that occurs in the breast in lactating women.
How common are breast lumps?
Benign breast cancer lumps are quite common in women, about 50% of women experience fibrocystic changes that cause the formation of lumps in their breast, these fibrocystic changes are induced by hormone fluctuations.
Treatment of breast lumps
The treatment of a breast lump depends on its cause. Benign breast lumps usually disappear over time. Otherwise following treatments can be considered as per the doctor’s discretion-
- Medication: If the breast lumps are painful or increase over time, it is advisable to take medication.
- Limiting the amount of fat in the diet or wearing well fitting bras also reduces the amount of pain due to breast lumps.
- Certain types of breast lumps are filled with fluid or pus. This fluid can be drained through a procedure called aspiration or drainage.
- A radical way to treat a breast lump is surgery. Many a times, these lumps get bigger and painful and the most effective way to deal with it is to remove it. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.
