Ufa mammologist: don't ignore breast lumps

Any new lump in the breast is a reason to see a doctor, even if it doesn«t hurt. Dense, only slightly mobile formations should be especially alarming — they can be a symptom of a malignant process. Elina Fazleeva, a mammologist, told a UFA1.RU correspondent.

A painless, dense formation with uneven edges is one of the classic signs of breast cancer, although a final diagnosis is made only after a biopsy.

Breast pain is not always cancer

Cancer rarely causes pain in its early stages. More often, pain is linked to hormonal disorders, mastopathy (fibrocystic breast changes), or inflammation. Sometimes breast pain has nothing to do with the breast at all — it can radiate from spinal problems. With thoracic osteochondrosis, pain can mimic mastopathy. But if pain appears suddenly and is unrelated to the menstrual cycle, that is a reason to see a mammologist.

Symptoms that mean you should rush to a doctor:

a lump in the breast that wasn«t there before;

a change in the shape of the breast, sudden asymmetry;

nipple retraction that wasn«t observed before (if the nipple has always been inverted, that is a normal variant);

bloody discharge from the nipple — an emergency;

any other discharge — clear, yellow, greenish — also requires a doctor«s visit;

redness of the skin on the breast;

enlarged underarm lymph nodes.

“All of these are serious symptoms that require an immediate visit to a doctor,” the mammologist concludes.

There are factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. They are usually divided into two large groups: those we cannot change and those within our control.

The first group includes heredity — if there have been cases of breast, ovarian, intestinal, or prostate cancer in the family, that is a reason for special attention. Genetic mutations, in particular the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2, also cannot be influenced. The unavoidable factors also include early onset of menstruation, late menopause, and late first childbirth or no childbirth at all.

Lifestyle, however, can be changed — and that significantly reduces risks. Excess weight is one of the main enemies, because fatty tissue serves as an additional source of estrogens, an excess of which stimulates tumor growth. Bad habits, especially smoking and alcohol, also work against women«s health. One should also not forget a sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, lack of sleep, and vitamin D deficiency.

The full article about breast cancer can be read here.