Whether you havefibrocysticbreasts or cancer, the first sign is usually a lump in your breast.
Breast cancer is treatable if its diagnosed at an early stage.
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Symptoms
Fibrocystic breasts are most common in women who are 3050 years old.
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Breast cancer is typically diagnosed after the age of 50.However, both conditions can occur at any age.
In this context,painis a good sign.
Fibrocystic breast changes grow quickly, pressing against tissues and causing pain.
In contrast, 99% of cancerous lumps do not cause pain.
Cancerous lumps can appear at any time.
They may consistently enlarge over time, but they don’t change during your monthly cycles.
Breast cancer lumps typically feel firm or hard.
There are also stark differences in the causes of these conditions.
Cysts are too small to feel at first.
If the fluid accumulates, the cysts enlarges, sometimes getting as large as 1-2 inches.
Cysts may be simple, complicated, or complex:
Fibrosis and simple cysts donotincrease your risk of cancer.
Complicated and complex cysts have a small chance of becoming cancerous.
As a result, the cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors and spreading beyond the original site.
Breast cancer can start in cells throughout the breast, including:
There are differenttypes of breast cancer.
Some women have breasts that naturally feel lumpy all the time.
It’s harder to recognize a new lump if you don’t perform routine breast exams.
Visit Your Healthcare Provider
If you find a lump, see your healthcare provider.
Mammogram
Mammogramscreate images of your breasts using a low-dose X-ray.
Biopsy
Abiopsyis a procedure that removes a sample of cells for analysis in a lab.
In the case of a breast lump, the biopsy is looking for any cancerous cells.
Treatment
Fibrocystic breast changes often dont require treatment.Breast cancer, on the other hand, requires intensivetreatments.
Treatment for Fibrocystic Breast Changes
You only needtreatment for fibrocystic breastchanges if youre experiencing pain or discomfort.
However, there are lifestyle changes that may reduce your risk of each.
Prevention of Fibrocystic Breast Changes
Most women will experience fibrocystic breast changes at some point.
Many cant be controlled.
Although theres no way to prevent breast cancer entirely, there are ways to reduce your risk.
These include:
Summary
Fibrocystic breast changes and breast cancer both cause lumps.
However, fibrocystic changes have different causes, symptoms, and treatments compared to breast cancer.
Fibrocystic changes are common, rarely pose a risk of developing cancer, and usually cause pain or discomfort.
Breast cancer is typically diagnosed at a later age than fibrocystic changes.
Cancer also causes apainlesslump.
Though fibrocystic lumps seldom need treatment, early treatment is crucial if you have breast cancer.
If you notice a lump, don’t wait to see your healthcare provider to rule out breast cancer.
It is not uncommon to experience lumps resulting from fibrocystic breast changes.
Often these arent cause for concern.
However, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice a lump or other changes in your breasts.
Your provider will be able to rule out cancer and determine the cause.
Sci Rep. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27546-3.
National Cancer Institute.Breast cancer risk in American women.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Breast cysts and breast cancer: How can you tell the difference?
Susan G. Komen.If you find a lump.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms
American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.
CDC.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
