Breast Conditions

Benign breast problems are of several types; but in general, they are classified according to the predominant symptom as - lumps, pain, nipple problems, and infection of the breast. The majority of breast lumps are benign.. Fibroadenomas, cysts, and the areas of localized nodularity are the usual causes of a benign breast lump.

A woman's breasts are made of specialised tissues supplied by blood vessels, lymph nodes and nerves. Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast. This mass of abnormal tissue is called a tumour. Breast cancer can develop in both men and women, although female breast cancer is more common.

These days cancer is very common. More and more ladies have a history of breast cancer and are not sure if it is significant and if it is, what can be done to reduce their risk. Angelina Jolie has raised awareness about family history and breast and ovarian cancer. There are two steps to the process.

From time to time everyone needs a second opinion. A second opinion is when you visit another specialist to ask for their opinion. People ask for second opinions for a variety of reasons: To reassure and give confidence to a diagnosis, as information gathering and to investigate all possibilities.

Breast biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of breast tissue containing suspicious breast growth is removed and examined in the laboratory for the presence of cancer. It is indicated when abnormal findings are seen during mammography, ultrasound or MRI scans, or unusual changes are noticed in the nipple (dimpling skin, scaling or bloody discharge) or breast tissue (thickening or lumps).

Most breast lumps will turn out to be benign but they should all be investigated.