How should my breasts feel? I am in my 20s and sometimes feel lumps and soreness. Is this normal? –Worried
Dear Worried,
First off, Congratulations for observing changes in your body. Knowing how you look and feel every day helps you to identify potential problems.
Secondly, I want to ease some of the anxiety that you are having about your breasts. Sixty percent of women have non-cancerous “lumpy” breasts during their reproductive years.
Breasts go through changes in appearance and consistency during the different stages of development. Lumps and soreness usually are normal at your age.
Breasts are complex — each one has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes, each with many smaller lobules. The lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. Lobes, lobules and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts. These ducts lead to the nipple which is centered in a dark area of skin called the areole. The amount of fat between the ducts and lobes causes breast size to vary. Breasts’ complexity sometimes makes them feel lumpy.
During a woman’s period, she may tend to notice lumps and soreness in her breasts. These lumps likely are benign cysts, a sign of fibrocystic condition, commonly found in women in their 20s.
Fibrocystic breast disease is a general term referring to tenderness, enlargement or changing lumpiness many women encounter just before or during their menstrual periods.
During this point in the menstrual cycle, the breasts are preparing for pregnancy. They retain fluid and their milk glands are stimulated. Some pain and soreness may result.
If you notice lumps after your period, they may be the benign fibro adenomas, “a tumor composed of glandular and fibrous tissues.” These lumps usually are the size of marbles. They feel firm, round, smooth, movable and rubbery. These lumps rarely are found in women older than 30 and usually pose no health risk.
However, always notify your doctor of lumps, changes or pain. He or she may examine you and choose to run tests.
Pay special attention to changes if your family has a history of breast cancer. For instance, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, your chances of getting it double.
Breast cancer still is rare in young women. Only one in every 225 women younger than 30 get it. Because the risks increase with age, women should start having regular mammograms at age 40.
Some interesting myths and about breast cancer still abound:
Myth: Using deodorant and underwire bras puts women at risk.
Truth: There is no known prevention for breast cancer. Eighty percent of women who get breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors.
Myth: Breast cancer is a female disease.
Truth: It affects more than 1,000 men in this country each year.
Since the biggest defense against breast cancer is early detection, continue to perform self-examinations and see your doctor regularly. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society or visit www.cancer.org.
Send health questions to Lindsay Hellwig at [email protected]