The breast provides milk to newborn babies so that they get the antibodies (protein) necessary to fight infection. However, diseases such as tumors can infiltrate the breast. There are specific treatment options for these diseases.
Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society says breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Symptoms include a breast lump that can be located anywhere in the breast, including underneath the armpit. Also, the nipple can become inverted or the skin can dimple. Sometimes, blood or a yellow or green fluid discharge can exude from the nipple.
Mutations in specific breast cancer genes called BRCA1 or BRCA2 can lead to breast cancer. These genes are supposed to prevent breast tumors from growing. However, it's unclear what exactly causes breast cancer. Risk factors include being a woman, being 55 years old or older and having a family history. Some other risk factors include having a personal history of breast cancer and having children after age 30, the American Cancer Society says.
Treatment for breast cancer involves chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgery to remove a portion or all of the breast.
Breast Cysts
The Mayo Clinic says breast cysts refer to fluid-filled sacs that infiltrate the breast. In fact, it says these cysts are typically common in women in their 30s and 40s. Symptoms of breast cysts include a smooth and easily movable lump, breast pain in the affected area and shrinking of the lump after menstruation ends.
Breast cysts are due to an overproduction of breast glands and connective tissue. The two types of breast cysts are microcysts and macrocysts. Microcysts are tiny and are usually found during ultrasounds or mammograms. Macrocysts can grow to one to two inches wide.
Sometimes, no treatment is necessary for a breast cyst. However, oral contraceptive medication can be used to reduce breast cyst formation. Also, surgery remains an option if the breast cyst is suspicious (if the fluid within the cyst is bloody).
Fibroadenoma
The Mayo Clinic says fibroadenomas refer to benign (noncancerous) tumors that form along with menstruation. It says fibroadenomas are the most common kinds of breast lumps in women who are premenopausal.
Symptoms of fibroadenoma include a tumor that's round, movable, painless and rubbery. It's usually 1cm to 2cm wide but can grow to 5cm or more. The cause of fibroadenomas is unknown.
Surgery may be necessary to remove a fibroadenoma, especially if it can change the appearance of the breast. Sometimes, surgery is unnecessary and fibroadenomas can be monitored.
