Having lumps on the breast is probably one of the things that most women wouldn’t want to happen. As we all know most breast lumps are indicative signs of breast cancer. Nowadays, more and more women suffer and die due to this terrible disease. Even though medications and surgical treatments are already available for this kind of condition, many still fall victim due to late detection or recognition. This is the reason why BSE or Breast Self Examination is being recommended to all women 18 years old above in order to check for any signs of lumps or masses in the breasts. But in order for women to execute this procedure or exam properly, they must all first know what does a lump in the breast feel like.
Detecting or identifying lumps in the breast usually signifies cancer; however, in recent findings it has been found out that 4 out of 5 breast lumps are said to be non cancerous or otherwise known as benign. Nevertheless, checking for breast lumps or doing BSE is still very essential in order to prevent the worse from happening. How does a normal breast tissue feels? Women’s breast tissues do have varying consistency. Glandular tissue, which is mainly felt in the upper and outer portion of the breast, usually feels firm with a bumpy texture (nodular). Breasts also do contain fat tissues that are located in the inner and lower portions of the bosom and usually feels soft to touch. It is important for women to know that the lumpiness and tenderness of the breast varies depending on the course of the menstrual period. As a woman becomes older, her breasts also changes in consistency. These become fattier and less dense.
So what does an irregular lump feel like? Breast lumps do feel like a mass or an overlapping of tissues that can either be hard or soft. Hard lumps usually suggest malignancy or cancerous tumor while soft lumps are commonly benign. The margin of most breast lumps is also irregular; however, some lumps do have smooth and well circumscribed edges. Irregular margins are those that suggest of cancer while well defined edges are commonly considered non-malignant and are commonly known as fibroadenoma. Aside from the consistency and the margins of these breast lumps, their mobility and surface must also be assessed. Cancerous lumps do have irregular surface and most are considered to be immobile while benign tumors are usually mobile and smooth. A lump’s surface can be assessed by touching it with the use of the palms and fingers while its mobility is checked by holding the mass with two fingers and trying to move it in different directions.
Knowing these facts and information about breast lumps can be a huge help in detecting and haltering the possibility of having cancer. As we all know, lumps are the earliest and most important symptom of breast cancer, which is why detecting it earlier can prevent further complication that could possibly take away one’s life.
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