BREAST CANCER: WHAT TO DO?

Discovering a lump in your breast can be cause for concern.  Most breast lumps and other changes don’t turn out to be cancerous. Still, it’s important to know why lumps occur and what steps to take.

What causes breast lumps? Most women have some type of lumpiness in their breasts. For example, some women may have areas of their breasts that are denser than other areas. These lumps usually go away by the end of your period. Lumps can also occur at other times when hormone levels fluctuate, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.  You may also notice lumps or other breast changes if you use hormones such as:

Birth control pills, Injections, and Menopausal hormone therapy.

If you find a lump, you should see your doctor and get it checked out. Your doctor can examine your breasts and the surrounding tissues for any other changes that could indicate a problem.  Be prepared to answer questions:

• Do you have a family history of breast cancer?

• When was your last mammogram?

• What was the date of your last period?

• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?

• What medications are you taking?

• When did you find the lump?

• Has the lump gotten smaller or larger?

 Also be sure to tell your doctor about any other breast changes, including:

• Nipple discharge or tenderness.

• Redness, dimples or puckers.

• A change in breast size or shape.

Your doctor may also request other tests. These tests can include:

1- Diagnostic mammogram: Though mammograms are used mostly for screening, this x-ray of the breasts can also be used to get a closer look at breast problems.

2- Breast ultrasound: Using sound waves, a breast ultrasound can be used to target a specific area of concern found on a mammogram. This test can help distinguish between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses and between benign and cancerous tumors.

3- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test creates detailed pictures of the breast that can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue.

4- Biopsy: In this procedure, a sample of cells from the lump is removed for examination. A biopsy is the only definitive way to find out whether a lump is cancerous.

Protect yourself with regular screenings: Finding breast changes early can help detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Generally, the ACS (American Cancer Society) recommends that women have regular mammograms beginning at age 45. Your doctor can suggest a screening schedule.

Women should get to know their breasts….