October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  It is a time to learn about our breast cancer risks and recommended screening.  It is also a time for celebration.  We should all celebrate the advances in treatment that have dramatically reduced breast cancer mortality.  Sadly, there is a great deal of work to be done toward better treatment options and final eradication of this disease. 

Wiping breast cancer out of our lives starts with awareness and knowledge.  It is known that the majority of breast lumps are found by women themselves; however, many women are afraid of seeing their health care provider to have the change in their breast tissue checked.  Some have told me that they would rather not know if it is cancer.  The good news is that most changes in breast tissue are cancer. 

Breast tissue covers not only the breast but also sits on the chest muscles over the ribs and extends from under the arm to the collarbone.  Breasts are made of glands that produce milk, ducts, fatty tissue, the areolas and nipples and lymph glands.  Women experience changes in the way breast tissue feels depending on age, menopause, menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
 
Breast masses are either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).  Some common types of benign conditions include:
 
Fibrocystic disease:  A condition causing pain, cysts and benign breast lumps.  Women age  25 to 50 are most commonly affected. 
The following link has information about fibrocystic breast disease.  http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=245&channel_id=16&relation_id=2258

Fibroadenoma: rubbery, smooth, mobile, painless mass mainly in women under 35 years old. It is the most common type of lump found in teenagers and women in their early 20s

Abscesses and mastitis: infections in breast tissue.  The following link has more information about abscesses and mastitis:  http://chealth.canoe.ca/condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=326

Even though most breast lumps and conditions are not cancer, it is important to see your health care provider to be sure.  There are treatment and preventative measures for benign breast conditions.  If your breast lump is cancerous, treatment can be arranged to quickly start the fight against it.  In the meantime, don’t forget to look for ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer.  The Canadian Cancer Society has a quick Breast Health Quiz that tests our knowledge about breast cancer risk and gives suggestions about screening and simple lifestyle changes that are known to decrease risk.  http://www.cancer.ca/files/ontario/bcam/english/bcam_quiz_q1.html
 
References:

Canadian Cancer Society

e-medicine. Com

C-Health

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