What you need to know about benign breast tumors

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Phung Thi Phuong Chi - Oncologist - Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Benign breast lumps can increase your risk of breast cancer in the future. Therefore, many women are very confused and worried about whether benign breast tumors are dangerous and how to handle them. The following article will answer all of that.

Benign breast lesions are not cancerous. These lesions will usually go away on their own or are easily treated.
However, some benign breast lesions may increase the risk of future breast cancer. Therefore, you need to have a follow-up test or visit with an obstetrician-gynecologist to prevent the risk from happening.

3.1. Cyclical pain Pain of this type occurs in response to changes in hormone levels in the body. Your breasts may be more swollen, sensitive, and painful than before your period. These symptoms are similar to those when using combined hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy during menopause.
3.2. Non-cyclical pain This type of pain is not related to the menstrual cycle. They usually occur on one side of the chest and in a specific area. There are many causes of this type of pain, including trauma, infection, medications, or even an enlarged breast that causes pain. In rare cases, non-cyclical breast pain can be a sign of breast cancer.

For cyclical pain, women should wear a well-fitting bra and take pain relievers if necessary. If you're using combined hormonal birth control, your symptoms may improve on their own after a while.
In case of non-cyclic breast pain, it is recommended to see a specialist for consultation and treatment.

In general, whether a benign breast tumor is dangerous depends largely on the type of tumor. Benign breast tumors are generally divided into the 3 most common types:
Non-reproductive: This type consists of normal breast cells. A common example is a cyst. Breast cysts are quite small, often disappear on their own or can be removed with a needle. Another example is simple fibroids. Simple fibroids often shrink and disappear on their own. However, if they continue to grow larger, surgical removal is recommended. Typical hyperplasia: Absence of atypical cells (abnormal cells with malformed nucleus...). For this type of breast tumor, the cells are increased in number but completely normal. The typical tumor-type appearance slightly increases the long-term future risk of breast cancer. They are usually surgically removed, but sometimes doctors just suggest watching and making sure they don't grow. Atypical hyperplasia: Presence of atypical cells. The majority of cases of atypical hyperplasia lead to a high risk of future breast cancer formation. When this type of breast tumor is detected, the doctor will recommend surgery to remove the germ of the cancer, and closely monitor it for a long time. Thus, whether benign breast tumors are dangerous and how to handle depends on the examination, the cellular nature of the tumor and the decision of the treating doctor.

Women's breasts can be affected by common skin problems, such as psoriasis and eczema. In addition, the folds of the breast are often infected with fungi. In particular, women with larger breasts are more likely to have these problems.
Note, some breast skin changes can be signs of breast cancer, including red, warm skin, unusual sagging, skin sores, blisters, swelling, pain. Some changes in the nipple, such as swelling and scaling or a deformed nipple are also cause for concern. Tell your doctor about any changes in your breasts that you notice.

If you find abnormal signs in your breast, you should go to the hospital to be examined and checked by a doctor. In some cases, you'll need to have the test done using techniques such as mammography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will need to do a biopsy.

Most benign breast lesions do not increase the risk of breast cancer. However, some situations can lead to certain risks. For these cases, your doctor will consider performing more frequent clinical breast exams and imaging tests over the next 1 or 2 years depending on your age, health risks, and test results.

SEE ALSO: How to see - touch - touch to identify early signs of breast cancer

Women should pay attention to the normal state of both breasts, so that when there is an abnormality, it is easy to recognize. If you notice any of the following signs, you should go to the hospital to see and discuss directly with your doctor:
Appearance of breast lumps, raised lumps Unusual pain in the chest, especially when the area is painful localized in a small area on the chest or the pain is getting worse Skin changes: including thickening, sunken skin, protrusions, abnormal red skin, skin ulcers, nipples... Thus, breast tumors are benign Whether it is dangerous depends on the cellular nature of the tumor and how it is detected and treated. In general, any lump on the breast makes women feel anxious and bewildered. Whether it is a benign or malignant breast tumor, you should still go for a checkup and determine the cause for timely treatment, limiting the unfortunate risks.
Breast cancer screening package at Vinmec International General Hospital has been and is a reliable choice for many women. With a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors and a system of modern specialized equipment, patients who carry out the breast cancer screening and early detection package at Vinmec will be examined and consulted with doctors. specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, and screening by tests: ultrasound and mammogram, thereby helping to detect the disease early even when there are no symptoms.

Synthesized source: Acog.org