• Home
• Mission Statement
• Eligibility
• Health Topics
• Staff

BREAST PROBLEMS

The female breast is a dynamic organ.  It changes when you reach puberty, with your monthly menstrual cycle, and also with pregnancy.  It also continues to change as you age.  Most changes in the breast are part of the normal processes described above.  However, some breast problems such as lumps or masses, breast pain, or discharge from the breast should be checked out by your health care clinician.

 The majority of breast lumps are benign and can be caused by cysts, adenomas, and papillomas.  Fibrocystic breast changes occur commonly, in about 50% of women.  These types of lumps vary in size, shape and location.   Most often they change with the menstrual cycle, occurring more commonly during the premenstrual period and improving after menstruation ends.  Any lump that is present during the entire menstrual cycle without change should be evaluated by a health care provider.  Cancer is uncommon in premenopausal women, and overall, 80% of breast lumps are benign.

 Breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer.  Pain in the breasts is usually caused by hormone fluctuations (natural or related to birth control pill use) or premenstrual fluid retention.  Trauma or infection can also cause breast pain.  Breast pain can be treated with usual analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  Evening primrose oil may also be beneficial in treating breast pain.

 Breast discharge can be caused by trauma, medications including birth control pills, hormonal imbalance, or endocrine problems such as hypothyroidism.  Nipple stimulation causes breast discharge.  A bloody discharge is seen with an intraductal papilloma and can also occur with breast cancer.  Bloody discharge from a breast should always be evaluated by a health care clinician.

 Common skin problems such as furuncles, or “pimples” can occur on the skin of the breast as well.  A sebaceous cyst or lipoma (benign fatty tumor) can also occur on the breast and cause a lump.

 The best way to become familiar with the normal “architecture” of your breasts and to identify a persistent problem is to do monthly self breast exam.  This exam should be performed a few days after your menses ends.  Women should consider having a baseline mammogram at age 35, then yearly mammograms at age 40.  If you have a family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative (mom, sister) you may need to start screening mammograms at an earlier age. 

 If you have a breast concern, or need information on how to do monthly self breast exams, please call Student Health at 766-2130 and make an appointment to visit with a clinician.

 For more information, please visit the following websites.  Using the search engine type in “breast” or “fibrocystic” to bring up the appropriate topics.

 www.webmd.com

familydoctor.org

www.medem.com