How to Cure a Breast Lump?
If you find a lump in your breast, it can be a worrisome situation; however, it is vital to understand that every breast lump does not always indicate cancer. There are many treatment options available for every type of breast lump. Also, if detected early, breast cancer can be cured. If you seek the best breast lump treatment, consult Dr Rajeev Agarwal in Gurgaon to seek the guidelines on how to cure breast lump and what can be done to self-examine, which plays a significant role in early detection and treatment success.
Understanding Breast Lumps
It is natural to worry if you feel something in your breast, and it is also extremely common for women of all ages to self-examine to find lumps and bumps in the breasts. A breast lump is a thickening or lump that feels different from the closest surrounding breast tissue and can be discovered by a woman during a breast examination. Or during the examination by the doctor. However, many of the breast lumps turn out to be benign. Also, some, like fibroadenomas, are harmless lumps of breast tissue. Some are like cysts related to hormones and can appear in the breast during or before the periods, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Not all breast lumps feel the same, and you can’t find if the breast lump is cancerous or noncancerous. However:
- Some breast lumps are painful, and some do not hurt at all.
- Some breast lumps are complex, and some lumps are soft.
- Some breast lumps are mobile and movable with your fingers, and some lumps are fixed.
- Some lumps are in the armpit, or some are above the breast mound
- The size, texture, or breast lump do not indicate cancer.
- Some breast lumps are pea-sized, and some are larger
- Some breast lumps are sudden or new
Breast lumps may be painless or painful and, in some cases, accompanied by a nipple discharge or changes in the skin like redness, irregularities, dimpled texture or tightened skin. Breast lumps may be fluid-filled sacs or cysts that are generally fibroadenomas. These fibroadenomas are not cancerous, and cysts are usually not cancerous.
Causes of the breast lumps
Breast lumps can be benign, precancerous or cancerous; as there are many types of breast lumps, no lump can be officially diagnosed until it has been examined through diagnostic tests. It is vital to know the kind of lump a woman has :
1. Benign breast lump
It is also called fibrocystic change and is non-cancerous. However, remember that most test lumps are non-cancerous; thus, there is no need to worry. Women may notice lumps many times, like while menstruating; breasts feel swollen tender breasts before periods. These benign lumps can also occur when a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding because of a condition called mastitis. Also, women may notice lumps or changes when discussing hormonal medication like birth control pills and later in life before menopause.
2. Cysts or fluid-filled sacs
It is another cause of benign breast lumps. These fluid-filled sacs form due to fluid buildup in the breast glands. They are a common type of breast lump in premenopausal women and those taking menopausal hormonal replacement therapy. They feel like movable round lumps and may also be tender to the touch. These breast cysts can be micro cysts, which means small, or macrocosms, which means large. In general, specialists will not recommend removal until they cause any discomfort.
3. Fibroadenomas or benign tumours
These are also common in women in their 20s and 30s; however, they can occur at any age. After menopause, these lumps shrink and feel firm and rubbery. These benign breast tumours can sometimes feel like marbles in the breast and can be either complex or straightforward.
4. Precancerous breast lumps
It is a lump that does not indicate cancer but has abnormal cells that may turn into cancerous with time. Some are considered precancerous conditions termed as Atypical ductal hyperplasia or atypical lobular hyperplasia.
5. Cancerous breast lumps
These lumps are caused by cancer cells, and the only way to diagnose cancer is with a biopsy. Thus, you should not assume the worst after noticing the lump or any change in the breast. You must consult the doctor immediately if you find any of the signs or types of breast lumps. Also, the treatment of your breast lump will depend upon the results of the test if the doctor recommends a mammogram.
Also Read: Top 10 Quick Remedy for Breast Pain
How to cure breast lumps?
The treatment options for breast lumps depend upon their causes. however, there are many treatment options available to cure breast lumps :
Fibroadenomas
This is a non-cancerous breast lump that does not require treatment when small in size. The doctor will monitor the changes only. When large, it can also show symptoms and be removed surgically or by using minimally invasive procedures that use heat, cold, or sound waves.
Breast cysts
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that do not need treatment unless they are large or painful. In some cases, they are drained with a needle, a procedure known as fine needle aspiration.
Lipomas
These harmless fatty tissue growths do not require treatment unless they are causing harm or discomfort. They can be removed via a surgical procedure.
Intraductal Papillomas
These are also non-cancerous growths in milk ducts and do not cause symptoms. These are only monitored and, if they become large, can be removed surgically if required.
Breast cancer
If the lump is cancerous, the doctor will recommend the treatment per the requirements.
- Surgery
Surgery is the primary treatment of cancerous breast lumps. It may be done to remove the lump or the entire breast, and the choice depends on the stage of cancer, tumour size and many other factors.
- Radiation therapy
It is done after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the breast.
- Chemotherapy
It is done before surgery to shrink the tumour and also after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy
It helps in reducing the chances of recurrence of the cancer.
- Targeted therapy
These drugs specifically target many characteristics of cancer cells, such as those that help cancer cells grow abnormally.
Conclusion
You need to understand that the curse of the breast lump depends on the cause of it, your medical history and many other conditions. While breast lumps increase the fear of breast cancer, many lumps are benign. Many illnesses can cause breast lumps, so if you notice any change in breasts, you must visit the best surgeon immediately. You must do regular self-breast examinations to aid in early detection and improve the treatment outcomes. If you seek the best breast cancer specialist in Gurgaon, consult Dr Rajeev Agarwal, who has more than 40 years of surgical experience and has treated many patients with care and compassion. He has a great understanding and expertise in performing procedures like sentinel node and MRI-guided biopsy. He helps patients get the proper care at the right time.