Your Breasts: When Is Normal, When Is Abnormal?

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Your breasts will experience some changes as you get to your period, when you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or going through puberty or menopause. These changes are sometimes normal, but in some cases, they are signs of abnormal breasts that are related to some health problem.

1. Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is a discharge from one or both breasts. This can happen when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This can continue for up to 2 years after you stop breastfeeding. This is considered a normal physiological phenomenon.
Milky white discharge from the nipple can also occur before menopause. It is caused by hormones. This is also considered a normal phenomenon. But if the discharge is bloody, green, or only has discharge from one breast, or if there is a lump in the breast, you should see your doctor for an accurate test whether you are in menopause or not. Causes can be infections, cysts, benign tumors (such as uterine fibroids), or possibly cancer.
Some signs of nipple discharge are considered abnormal, including:
Bloody discharge Discharge on only one nipple Feeling a lump in the breast Discharge occurs spontaneously and continuously The doctor will check breasts, and ask about your symptoms and family history. You may also be ordered to have a mammogram or an ultrasound to examine the inside of the breast.

2. Breast tumor

You should not be too worried, first of all, you should go to a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition. This is very important, especially when there is a large lump in the armpit that does not go away after 6 weeks.
Most breast lumps - more than 80% - are not melanoma. Most of the time, they will appear when you get to your period or approaching menopause. Tumors can be small or large, and feel hard or soft to the touch. Many times this is a fluid-filled cyst.
Your doctor will examine your breasts and may order you to have a mammogram and some other tests. The doctor will use medical instruments to take some fluid or a small sample from the tumor to do the necessary tests.

3. Change color and texture

If the skin around the breasts shows signs of scaling, itching or redness, you should go to a medical facility to be checked. Some cases will only need monitoring, but if in doubt, your doctor will assign you a biopsy to get the most accurate results.

4. Soreness

You may feel pain during your period. Many women experience pain in their breasts before or during their period. This is normal and usually the pain goes away on its own. If the pain becomes more severe, or is only painful in a specific area of ​​​​the chest, or the pain is interfering with daily activities, you should see your doctor for a timely evaluation.
Some other causes of breast pain include birth control pills, stimulants... During the examination, your doctor will consider each case, if you are taking birth control pills, your doctor will change the medicine that you take. are taking or adjusting to hormone therapy (if you are taking medication to reduce the effects of menopausal symptoms). In some cases, cutting back on caffeine can help reduce breast tenderness.

5. Change in breast size or shape

Your breasts may show some changes at different times in your life. For example, this can happen when you get your period or when you are pregnant, mainly due to hormones.
When you reach menopause, you may feel like your breasts are becoming saggy, smaller and changing shape. All of these are completely normal.
If you are not menstruating, are not breastfeeding or are not in menopause but have abnormal signs, you should go to a medical facility for timely examination, examination, diagnosis and treatment. . To control and monitor your health, in addition to maintaining regular exercise and a healthy diet, regular health checkups are also extremely important.
When you have a periodical health check, you will be evaluated by the doctors on the overall indicators of your body, monitoring your health status. From there, your doctor will give you advice and treatment directions to help you have the best health.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a Breast Cancer Screening Package to help detect breast cancer early even when there are no symptoms.
Breast cancer screening package at Vinmec for the following subjects:
Female customers, over 40 years old. Customers wishing to be able to screen for breast cancer Customers are at high risk of cancer – especially customers with a family history of breast cancer. Women of reproductive age, perimenopause and menopause. Women who are having symptoms of breast cancer, such as: pain in the breast, lump in the breast, etc. To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the Health System Vinmec nationwide, or register online HERE.
Reference source: webmd.com
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