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BE BREAST AWARE > Benign breast conditions
BENIGN BREAST CONDITIONS
There are a number of conditions that can affect the way your breasts look and feel. The conditions described below are benign, which means they are not breast cancer:
- Noncyclical pain. Noncyclical pain is breast pain that does not seem to be related to menstrual periods. It may be due to a physical injury or a wound, even long after the injury took place. Sometimes the cause of noncyclical pain cannot be determined.
- Non-breast origin pain. This is discomfort felt in the region of the breast but caused by another condition, such as arthritis or inflammation around the chest wall.
- Bacterial infection. Infections of the breast can cause redness, swelling, fluid discharge, and pain. There may be abscesses, or lumps that contain fluid that a doctor will have to drain. Sometimes the infection is specific to the breasts, and other times the infection is in the entire body but shows up in the breasts.
- Nipple discharge. A discharge from the nipple can be caused by one of several conditions. Some of these conditions are benign. For example, some women get a small, noncancerous wart-like growth in the breast ducts (called papilloma) that can cause bleeding. Discharge can also be caused by a condition called galactorrhea, which is excessive or spontaneous milk flow in women who are not breastfeeding. However, nipple discharge may be a sign that cancer is present. Nipple discharge is particularly concerning if it is bloody, spontaneous (occurs without squeezing of the breast or nipple) and from one breast only.
- Cysts. Some women develop breast lumps called cysts, which are noncancerous sacs of fluid. Cysts can develop at any time, but are more common as a woman approaches menopause. Women who have had breast cysts in the past should not assume that a new lump is another cyst. Once diagnosed, cysts can be treated by a doctor, usually by removing the fluid through a small needle (a procedure called aspiration).
- Fibroadenomas and other benign lumps. Occasionally a woman develops another type of breast lump such as a fibroadenoma. This is a smooth round lump that is not cancerous. A fibroadenoma does not need to be removed if a doctor has determined that this is the type of lump it is.
There are also normal breast changes that are not related to these benign conditions.
Most breast changes are not signs of breast cancer. If you are breast aware, you will know how your breasts normally look and feel. Knowing this will help you notice any changes you experience that are not part of the normal changes experienced by women and that should be discussed with your doctor. It is helpful to become aware of the changes to look and feel for in the breast. Any persistent breast changes should be reported to a doctor.
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