Not All Lumps on Breasts Are Cancerous; Sometimes They’re Benign
This month’s blog topic is benign breast lumps. In our last blog of 2022, we explained that one breast cancer myth is that lumps always indicate cancer. If you have a lump on your breast or chest area, don’t panic. At Second To Nature, we want you to understand which breast lumps aren’t cancerous, as many are benign. According to Johns Hopkins, a lump which is always benign is:
- An Abscess
- A Cyst
- Fat Necrosis
- A Hematoma
Hematomas and Cysts are Benign Lumps Commonly Found on Breasts
A cyst is a sac filled with fluid that forms in breast tissue, and sometimes feels like a large blister. Women between the ages of 35 and 50, and those approaching menopause, commonly develop breast cysts. Healthcare providers often find cysts during physical exams, and confirm their diagnosis with mammograms or ultrasounds. A hematoma is a mass filled with blood. Hematomas generally result from an injury, such as one from a car accident or fall. You can also get a hematoma after a surgical procedure of the breast, like a mastectomy. They usually resemble a bruise, and might feel like a firm lump under the skin.
Two Common Benign Lumps Also Include an Abscess and Fat Necrosis
Fat necrosis is a condition that creates a round, firm lump. It’s painless, and results from disintegrating and damaged fatty tissues within the breast. Women with especially large breasts, or who experienced a bruise or blow to the breast, generally develop fat necrosis. Sometimes a lumpectomy and radiation from cancerous lumps result in fat necrosis. Fat necrosis lumps are not cancerous, though, and don’t increase any risk of breast cancer.
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms on the breast. It causes inflammation and a sore lump. Other abscess symptoms can include fever and tiredness. While an abscess on your breast is uncomfortable and painful, it’s not life-threatening because it’s benign. Treatment for an abscess includes draining the pus to improve symptoms and taking antibiotics.
For information about custom breast prosthesis and mastectomy education, call Second To Nature in Roanoke, VA, at (540) 366-2711. Like us on Facebook and follow us for updates. We can help you be sure whether or not you have benign breast lumps.