Why Pain and Lumps of the Breast Do Not Indicate Breast Cancer is the Blame

Recently, my best friend was diagnosed with a benign breast disorder. Unfamiliar with the varied degrees to which breast complications exist, this friend was profoundly distressed for fear she had developed breast cancer. For women experiencing breast pain and complications, understanding the dynamics and range of possible breast complications will assist with preparing a woman in obtaining appropriate diagnosis and treatment and, ultimately, quell concerns over the development of breast cancer in situations where breast complications most often result in benign diagnoses.

Breast disorders and breast complications range from simple breast lumps with breast pain to changes in breast texture and even nipple discharge. For many women, the scope and range of breast disorders are often unfamiliar as it is not a topic commonly taught in the education curriculum or within the scope of preventative medicine. As a result, when a woman experiences a breast complication, immediately the fear of breast cancer sets in. While most breast disorders are not malignant, it is imperative that women seek early diagnosis and treatment, if needed, when complications associated with the breast develop but equally important to understand the breast disorder or complication, in most cases, is simply a benign breast condition which can be treated relatively easily.

One such breast complication involves inflammation, or swelling, of the breasts. While breast inflammation is common in women as early as puberty, it is the breast inflammation which is persistent and chronic to which most women seek out medical attention. Only in rare cases of breast inflammation, and breast pain, are the symptoms considered to be of life threatening concern. As a woman, experiencing inflammation of the breast tissue, the cause and origin of the breast inflammation is, in most cases, based on hormonal fluctuations which can be attributed to the female menstrual cycle or simply based on hormone changes associated with stress and emotions. As a result, when experiencing inflammation and pain, without the presence of breast lumps or nodules, consider using anti-inflammatory and reducing stress through exercise as these practices may provide for a reduction in breast swelling and pain with more immediate results.

Another common, yet rarely discussed, breast disorder involves the breast infection within the milk ducts and sacs of the breast tissue. Medically termed alveoli, the breast milk producing ducts can lead to infections of the breast which result in pain and swelling of the breast tissue but also lead to the development of redness and a discovery of a lump in the breast. For many women, the development of an alveoli infection is attributed to a bacterial infection associated with breastfeeding. However, poor hygiene can also lead to the same complications. As a result, when experiencing inflammation and pain, coupled with redness and signs of breast lumps or nodules, consultation with a healthcare professional should be done immediately to address the presence of a breast bacterial infection. When confirmed, the breast specialist, in most cases, will prescribe antibiotics to remedy this breast complication.

And yet, quite common, are the breast cysts. As a small fluid filled sac, breast cysts are very common in women but, as a benign breast complication can lead to severe pain and are, most likely, the leading cause of concern in women who fear they have developed breast cancer. Breast cysts, unlike breast cancer, are easily mobile within the breast tissue and appear symmetrical on mammogram results. While many breast cysts resolve on their own, there are some which require drainage or removal; a relatively minor breast surgical procedure. While breast cysts are more common among pre-menopausal and menopausal women, they can occur in women of any age and, for this reason, women who find the presence of a breast lump should consult a health care professional and request aspiration of the cyst in an effort to improve appearance and texture of the breast tissue while also confirming, or ruling out, the presence of a malignancy, which, again, is very rare.

With so much attention focused on the development of breast cancer in women, many healthcare professionals have found that women, overall, are becoming not only more aware of the importance in monitoring their own breast health, but also have become increasingly hypersensitive to any breast changes, even those which may be related to hormones and natural aging processes. Regardless, when experiencing complications of the breast, seeking medical attention will provide for confirmation of a benign condition and alleviate unnecessary worry and associated emotional complications.