You’ve found a breast lump: Now what?
Brought to you by Healthy Woman
WEATHERFORD, TEXAS — If the thought of finding a lump in your breast scares you, you’re not alone: After all, many of us know someone who has had breast cancer. But some of us are so frightened that we avoid getting mammograms—the very habit that could save our lives if breast cancer develops. If you’re in that group, you’ll be glad to hear that four out of five breast lumps turn out to be noncancerous. Here’s a description of some common breast conditions:
Fibroadenoma: a smooth, solid, round painless lump that moves easily and can feel like a marble. Occurs most often in African-American women and women under the age of 30.
Fibrocystic breast changes: solid or fluid-filled lumps that increase in size and tenderness five to seven days before each menstrual period.
Cyst: a smooth, fluid-filled lump often sensitive to the touch before the menstrual period. Typically appears in women between ages 35 and 50.
Lipoma: a soft and slow-growing painless lump that moves freely.
Intraductal papilloma: a small, wartlike growth near the nipple that may cause bleeding from the nipple. Occurs most often in women in their 40s.
Mammary duct ectasia: a thick, sticky, gray to green discharge from the nipple.
Mastitis: a warm, tender, lumpy area on the breast that appears red. Most often affects breast-feeding women.
Traumatic fat necrosis: painless, round, firm lumps that can result from a bruise or a blow to the breast. Occurs in older women and women with large breasts.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FIND A LUMP?
If you find a lump, see your healthcare provider. He or she will do a clinical breast exam and may recommend one or more of the following tests and procedures:
Mammography, or breast X-ray, may be recommended to determine the lump’s size and location.
Ultrasound examination can determine whether the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass.
Fine-needle aspiration is an in-office procedure. Fluid is drawn out of the lump with a thin needle. If the fluid is clear and the cyst disappears, you won’t need a biopsy. If the fluid is bloody or the mass solid, your doctor probably will recommend biopsy.
Stereotactic biopsy removes a small tissue sample with a thin needle for analysis. Computerized imaging guides the needle with pinpoint accuracy to the exact location to be sampled.
Surgical biopsy usually is performed on an outpatient basis. Normally, the surgeon removes the whole lump, but in certain cases he or she will remove only part of it. The tissue is sent to a lab where a pathologist will examine it for cancerous cells.
BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR FASHION SHOW
Weatherford Regional Medical Center (WRMC) and its Healthy Woman Advisory Council invite women of all ages to attend “I Will Survive: Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion Show” – a free Healthy Woman education event on Tuesday, October 21. The event will be held at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford, with a women’s expo and wine and cheese social from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by the fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors modeling Fall fashions from local retailers demonstrating that you can look good and feel great after a diagnosis.
Kit Marshall, Mayor of Aledo and member of the Weatherford Regional Medical Center (WRMC) Board of Directors, will share her compelling breast cancer survival story. This year alone, more than 178,500 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 40,000 will die. While doctors and scientists are still working toward a cure, they are making progress in fighting this deadly disease. Breast cancer death rates have dropped in recent years thanks to early detection, new technology and improved treatments.
The Healthy Woman event is free and open to women of all ages. Space is limited so RSVP by calling 817-341-PINK (7465) or visit www.weatherfordregional.com.
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