Finding breast lumps is every woman’s worst nightmare, but some still disregard the precautionary measure. I’m not only referring to others, but also to myself, who, despite knowing the importance of the check-up, rarely perform it.
I already knew how to perform a breast self-exam after reading a pamphlet about it at a clinic. However, I had not paid much attention to it until recently.
After hearing many cases of breast cancer from close friends and family members, as well as accompanying my mother-in-law when she discovered a lump in one of her breasts, it began to hit and concern me.
I also have a great-aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in her 40s. And despite removing the cancer bit, it returned years later, when she was in her 60s! So, she decided to have her affected breast completely removed.
Now, I do think that all women must understand the what, why, and how of this alarming breast issue. I’ll go into more detail later.
First, I’d like to share a short story about my mother-in-law’s experience discovering a breast lump.
My Mother-In-Law’s Experience with Breast Lumps
My mother-in-law used to do regular self-checks on her breasts. However, she had not been feeling well the last two years, so she sort of overlooked it.
Then suddenly, mid this year, she noticed that one of her breasts was a little heavy and painful to touch. Also, when she touched it, she said it felt like there was a hard rock inside that was moving around.
Without hesitation, she went to the hospital to be checked. The doctor immediately referred her for a mammogram and biopsy to determine the size and whether the lump was cancerous. It was a relief to learn that the lump was not cancerous based on the biopsy result.
But the doctor stated that there was a 5% chance that it can be cancerous. Because of my mother-in-law’s age and the uncertainty, the doctor advised removing the lump so that it could be tested further.
So, she scheduled the surgery for the earliest possible date because the lump was causing her major discomfort. It was nerve-racking waiting for the surgery to end, and right after the lump was removed, it was sent to the lab for testing.
After about two weeks, the doctor confirmed that the lump was not cancerous, but it is the type that can reoccur, so she must have regular check-ups in case it happens.
It’s been a few months since she had the surgery, but she still experiences pain from it; and just looking at the surgical scar gave me chills. 🙁
What surprised us was that the cause of the breast lump could not be determined because the doctor said it could be due to a variety of factors, including a clogged milk ducts from when she was nursing! And that was 20 years ago!
Discovering More About Breast Lumps
The first step in understanding breast lumps is to recognise their characteristics. Breast lumps are defined by the Mayo Clinic as tissue growth that develops within your breast.
Different types of breast lumps can look and feel differently, and some of the things you may notice include:
- A distinct lump with definite borders.
- Your breast contains a hard, firm area.
- An area of your breast that is thicker and slightly more noticeable than the rest of the breast tissue.
- Other breast changes, such as redness, dimpling, or pitting of the skin.
- Noticeably larger one breast than the other.
- Nipple changes, such as being pulled inward or experiencing spontaneous fluid discharge from your nipple.
- Persistent breast pain or tenderness that may worsen during your menstrual cycle.
Most of the time, it’s nearly impossible to determine what’s causing the lumps to appear, whether they’re cancerous or not. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, the following are the most common causes of breast lumps:
- Breast cancer
- Breast cysts (fluid-filled sacs in breast tissue that are usually benign)
- Fibroadenoma (a solid, benign mass most common in young women)
- Fibrocystic breasts (lumpy or rope-like breast tissue)
- Galactocele (a milk-filled cyst that’s usually harmless)
- Injury or trauma to the breast
- Intraductal papilloma (a benign, wartlike growth in a milk duct)
- Lipoma (a slow-growing, doughy mass that’s usually harmless)
- Mastitis (an infection in breast tissue that most commonly affects women who are breastfeeding)
It is always a good idea, in my opinion, to see a doctor for an evaluation whenever breast lumps are discovered, no matter how big or small, painful or not, fixed or not.
No matter if it might not be a serious issue—”It’s better to be safe than sorry” is a wise maxim.
What About Breast Cancer?
Even though my mother-in-law was not diagnosed with breast cancer, the experience of discovering that breast lump and now recovering from its removal is unsettling.
Plus, hearing about people dying from breast cancer and learning that one in 19 women in this country is at risk, compared to one in every eight in Europe and the United States, sends shivers down my spine.
So, as stated by the Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in Malaysia. It happens when the cells in the lobules (milk-producing glands) or ducts become abnormal and divide uncontrollably.
These abnormal cells invade the surrounding breast tissue and may spread to the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, brain, and liver via blood vessels and lymphatic channels.
Other interesting facts shared on the site include:
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Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, after lung cancer, affecting an estimated number of more than 1 million people worldwide each year.
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ONE MILLION afflicted women, with nearly 45% living in developing countries.
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Of the new cases of female breast cancer reported in Malaysia in 2003, 64% were women between the ages of 40 and 60.
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Chinese women appeared to be the most at risk, with 59.7 per 100,000 incidences, followed by Indian women (55.8 per 100,000) and Malay women (33.9 per 100,000).
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Early detection and appropriate medical attention can help save lives, but in Malaysia, nearly 40% of new cases identified each year were in the very advanced stages of the disease.
This just goes to show how important it is to get a breast exam because it is one of the best ways to detect any problems early on. Aside from that, when you reach a certain age, a mammogram is also recommended.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women aged 50 to 74 who are at average risk for breast cancer have a mammogram every two years.
Women between the ages of 40 and 49 should consult their doctor or another health care professional about when and how often they should have a mammogram.
When deciding whether to start getting mammograms before the age of 50, women should consider the benefits and risks of screening tests.
After learning about the statistics for breast cancer, I am more concerned and aware of the importance of having a breast examination.
After all, the first thing that comes to mind when discovering a breast lump is cancer, so it’s important to be aware of all of this information.
Finally, Learn How to Check for Breast Lumps
I discovered an informative video on the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and they even offer a free e-book on “3 Steps to Early Detection” that can increase the chance of finding breast cancer before it spreads (which I have requested, so don’t forget to get yours!).
The foundation recommended that women perform breast self-exams at least once a month, and here are some methods for doing so:
- In the shower
Examine the entire breast and armpit area with the pads/flats of your three middle fingers, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts once a month for lumps, thickening, hardened knots, or other breast changes.
- In front of a mirror
Inspect your breasts visually with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for changes in the contour, swelling or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, place your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles.
Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do—so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, especially on one side.
- Lying down
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Move your left hand’s finger pads around your right breast gently, covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Apply light, medium, and firm pressure as needed. Check for discharge and lumps by squeezing the nipple. Repeat for your left breast.
So that’s it. I hope you find this informative and that you can implement the methods shared. Take care, ladies, and remember to do your monthly breast self-exam!
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