How to Identify a Lump in a Breast

You should make a habit of checking for lumps on your breasts.
If you find a lump in your breast, also described as a clump, mass, mound or bump, don't panic. It's normal to feel concern, but you should keep in mind that 80 percent of breast lumps biopsied end up being benign, or non-cancerous. However, it's still important to call your doctor, schedule an appointment and have the breast lump examined. In the event of a cancerous breast lump, early detection and treatment is essential. The important thing is to know how to identify a lump in a breast so you can make a quick decision.

Method 1 of 2: Good Habits


1. Perform monthly self-breast exams to identify a lump in a breast. Most lumps are found by women, often by accident. It's best to keep up on your health at any age. You can examine your breast while standing up or lying flat on your back.

-Lift your right arm over your head. With your left hand, apply firm pressure to your right breast. Move your fingers in a circular motion around the nipple, the surrounding tissue and the armpit.

-Raise your left arm and repeat the process examining your left breast, surrounding tissue and the armpit with your right hand.

-Apart from standing or lying down, doing an exam in the shower also works. You may actually be better at reading your breast when your fingers are wet and soapy as your fingers will glide over your breast tissue more easily.


2. Feel for new breast lumps or changes in breast tissue. Talk with your doctor if you feel new lumps (most are pea-sized) or firm and hard breast tissue. If you do find one, don't fret; odds are it's not cancerous -- 8 out of 10 aren't. The benign ones are usually caused by cysts, a fibroadenoma, or just generalized breast lumpiness.

-It's not unusual to develop breast lumps for a short duration of time -- they'll probably go away when you get your period. To avoid being alarmed unnecessarily, do a self-examination one week before your period begins; that's when it's not yet swollen or tender. If this isn't an option (you're post-menopausal or your period is irregular) do it on the same day each month.


3. Pay close attention to breast lumps that suddenly grow or change in shape. This is because most women have something irregular about their breasts and that something irregular is not a health concern. If you feel the same lump in both breasts, that's definitely a non-issue. Worry about the lumps that are much harder than the rest of your breast.

-If you are young, it is common to feel small, cyst-like lumps all over your breasts. Again: this is normal. Do not fret. Mainly concentrate on what's changing or seems different than the overall texture of your breast.


4. Stand in front of a mirror and inspect your breast for other concerning symptoms. These symptoms may or may not occur with breast lump detection.

-Look for a bloody or pus-like nipple discharge.

-Watch for a red or pink rash near or around the nipple.

-Notice any changes in your nipple, especially if it becomes inverted.

-Observe breast skin. If it becomes thick, scaly, dry, dimply, red or pink, talk to your doctor.


Method 2 of 2: If Alarmed

1.Call a gynecologist or medical professional if you have any of these symptoms. Or if you have any other breast lump concerns at all -- it's always best to put your mind at ease.

-If you're in your 20s to 50s, keep your cool. 90% (or more) of questionable breast lumps aren't cancerous (they're benign).[2]

-If your doctor cannot rule out a cancerous breast lump after an examination, he may order a series of test to confirm or rule out breast cancer.


2. Set up a mammography screening appointment. Do this on an annual basis or as prescribed by your doctor. This is a low-dose X-ray examination used for locating breast tissue abnormalities.

-Be prepared; have your required mammography screening prescription with you the day of the test. The center you go to may or may not require it -- but they will want your doctor's information.

-Your doctor may collect a small amount of breast tissue for lab analysis. He'll tell you you're due for a biopsy -- which, for the record, is a process done with a needle.


3. Schedule an ultrasound breast-imaging test after your doctor writes the prescription. An ultrasound produces pictures of the breast mass, evaluating the blood flow through the mass or lump with high-frequency sound waves.

-Make certain you bring the required ultrasound breast imaging prescription with you to the test. It may be a confusing procedure, so bring questions with you, too -- the pros will be happy to spell out anything for you and will do so if prompted. You'll feel much better having a grasp of the situation.


4. Reschedule your return visit to discuss your test results. If the diagnosis is in question — the clinical breast exam and the mammogram show areas of suspicion, for example, but the pathology report from the biopsy reveals benign tissue — you'll be referred to a surgeon or other specialist for further consultation.

-If tests cannot rule out breast cancer, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. Biopsies are the only way to determine whether a lump is cancerous or non-cancerous.


Tips

-There are many benign breast conditions that can cause lumps. These conditions do not lead to breast cancer.

-Keep in mind that many factors contribute to breast tissue change. These can include a woman's age, her menstrual cycle, hormones and medications.

-Breast cancer is uncommon in young women; therefore, the doctor often takes a wait-and-see approach when a lump or other breast change occurs in a younger woman.

Things You'll Need

-Mirror

-Mammography screening

-Prescription for mammography screening

-Ultrasound breast imaging test

-Prescription for ultrasound breast imaging test

Culled from
http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Lump-in-a-Breast

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Hmmm

heehee, bosom. thanks OP

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https://www.nairaland.com/1575517/females-how-start-2014

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