Fact Friday
- Ana Pilar Aspuru
- Mar 22, 2019
- 2 min read
Welcome back to this week’s #FactFriday!
Fact: A minimal percent of breast lumps turn out to be cancerous.
This week’s #MythMonday was that finding a lump in your breast signifies that you have breast cancer. Although a breast lump can be an indication of breast cancer, not every breast lump results in breast cancer. In fact, 80% of breast lumps biopsied are benign, according to Stony Brook Cancer Center. Furthermore, breast lumps can be benign, meaning non-cancerous, or malignant, meaning cancerous.
Some common breast conditions that produce benign lumps are fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas, and papillomas. Fibrocystic changes in the breasts are exaggerated changes that result in fibrous breast tissue developing fibrous lumps and/or numerous, small cysts, which is caused by the changes of ovarian hormones produced during ovulation. Fibrocystic changes are the most common benign breast lumps and are most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50. Although it is unsure whether fibrocystic changes increase your chances of developing breast cancer, research has found that a chemical called methylxanthines found in certain products, such as coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, does promote the growth of fibrocystic lumps. If items containing this chemical are removed from your diet, then research has found that the fibrocystic cyst gradually decreases. Fibroadenomas are solid lumps composed of fibrous and glandular tissue which are most common in women between the ages of 18 and 35. These benign tumors account for the majority of breast tumors in women under the age of 25. Fibroadenomas are characterized as being non-tender, although they can be tender before menstruation, and generally move when the breast is palpated. Papillomas are small wart-like lumps that grow in the lining of the mammary ducts of the breast, which is near the nipple of the breast. As papillomas often result in a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, it can lead you to believe that it is breast cancer because this is a sign and symptom of breast cancer.
Although not life threatening, breast lumps may interfere with breast functions. Thus, they may need to be surgically removed. Therefore, if you detect any breast lumps, changes, or abnormalities it is important to contact your physician to determine the severity of the lump and determine whether it is benign or malignant.
Information and pictures were obtained from the following website(s):
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