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- $Unique_ID{BRK01901}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Breast Lumps: Are Mine Serious?}
- $Subject{Breast breasts lump Lumps bump bumps self examine examination
- examinations change changes benign cancer cancerous fibrocystic disease
- diseases test tests tested testing biopsy biopsies mammogram Mammograms x-ray
- x-rays Ultrasound needle needles aspiration cyst cysts self-examination
- self-examinations}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Anatomy of the Breast*0002601.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 1*0002602.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 2*0002603.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 3*0002604.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 4*0002605.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 5*0002606.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 6*0002607.scf
- Monthly Breast Self-Examination*0002608.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Breast Lumps: Are Mine Serious?
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: During a shower, I discovered a bump in my breast. I don't think
- it was ever there before because I have never really checked my breasts like
- this. When I then carefully touched my breasts, I found lumps in both of
- them. Now I need your help. What can I do to tell if these are serious? Is
- there any home test I can use? I know I have read articles on how women can
- diagnose these things for themselves, but I never kept them because I didn't
- think such a thing would ever happen to me. I hope you will take the time to
- explain all of this to me.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Over the past ten years, many articles have been written about breast
- lumps and what they mean, and many physicians recommend a regular routine of
- self breast examination. The purpose is to discover any changes in your
- breast as quickly as possible after they occur. The accent is on the word
- "discover" for there is no such thing as "self-diagnosis". According to
- estimates from the National Cancer Institute, about 50 percent of all American
- women have lumps in their breasts.
- The good news is that the great majority of these lumps are benign, not
- cancer, and are the results of a condition called "fibrocystic breast
- disease". Such lumps are most noticeable in the days before menstruation, and
- are tender when pressed. They can move about easily within the breast, and
- you can generally feel a well defined edge. As in your case, many women
- discover them quite by accident during a shower as they soap and wash.
- Still, there is no way to be absolutely sure about the nature of such a
- lump without examining a bit of tissue from the lump under the microscope.
- And there is no home test you can use to try and make a diagnosis on your own.
- With a newly discovered lump, or several new lumps, you must consult your own
- physician.
- However, there are a number of tests or examinations that can be used to
- help determine your diagnosis with great accuracy, without the need for a
- surgical biopsy. Your physician will palpate the breast, seeking the signs
- that can help tell the difference between a benign lump or a cancerous mass.
- Mammograms or breast x-rays can reveal characteristics that help distinguish
- between the different types of breast masses. Ultrasound can detect the
- fluid that fills some cystic lumps and reveal its benign nature.
- When all these tests fail to clear up the diagnosis, a bit of tissue must
- be obtained for microscopic examination. Sometimes fluid or cells can be
- removed through a fine needle (needle aspiration), and can discover the true
- nature of the lump. Once the diagnosis is made, a decision about treatment
- (if any is necessary) is made.
- Even if the lump is benign, there are several recommendations you should
- follow. Learn how to examine your breast properly and follow the routine on a
- monthly basis. If you are over the age of 50, an annual mammogram is
- recommended. Younger women may only need one every other year.
- Once you have a full record of the present condition of your breasts,
- these regular follow up examination serve to discover any changes at the
- earliest possible opportunity. And, as often stated here "Early diagnosis
- leads to early treatment" and that provides you with the best possible outcome
- results.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-