There’s a lot to learn when it comes to women’s breast health. But, when it comes down to it, most women have very little working knowledge of their own breasts. Here are a few basics every woman should know about their breasts.
Women’s Breast Health: What’s Normal?
In order to be effective at detecting anything out of the ordinary, women first must know what their breasts feel and look like under normal, healthy circumstances.
Take some time each month to look at your breasts and do a self-breast exam. The best time to do this is a few days after your period, when any menstrual swelling may go down and the breast isn’t so tender to the touch. Although, having said that, it’s also good to understand how your breast changes and feels at different points throughout your cycle.
When feeling around, you may notice that you feel different types of tissue – fatty, slightly lumpy, and possibly some firm, rope-like strands. These are all apart of a normal, healthy breast.
Women’s Breast Health: New Lumps
An important part of women’s breast health is noting any new or unusual lumps in your breasts. While most breast lumps are benign (meaning, non-cancerous), some may not be. When you feel a new lump, wait until after your next period to see if it goes away. If it doesn’t, and one of these scenarios occurs instead – the lump grows larger or firmer; the skin on the breast changes; or the nipple becomes inverted, then it’s time to have it checked out. Early breast cancer detection often means you have a good chance of fighting it successfully.
Women’s Breast Health: Usual, and Unusual Pain
Occasional pain is actually a normal part of every woman’s breast health. The typical pain experienced is usually a dull, heavy aching during the two weeks before a woman’s period. This also includes a bit of swelling or extra lumpiness, and typically affects both breasts.
Unusual pain, on the other hand, isn’t related to your period. It may be occasional, or a constant pain, and usually is localized – meaning it affects one area of the breast, or one breast itself. Although only two to seven percent of women with breast pain actually have breast cancer, it still is worth bringing to your doctor’s attention.
Women’s Breast Health: Leaky Discharge
The last area of basic women’s breast health that we’ll be covering is that of nipple discharge. Among all the concerns doctors hear from non-pregnant women, nipple discharge is the third most common.
There are many reasons why you may experience nipple discharge. And though it’s rare that discharge is a symptom of breast cancer, if it doesn’t clear up after your next period, or becomes increasingly uncomfortable, then it’s time to see your doctor.
When it comes to having a solid knowledge of women’s breast health, the best place to begin is to understand the basics, and to know what your breast looks and feels like under normal circumstances.
