The majority of women who identify a breast lump in their chest normally panic, thinking that the lump is actually cancer. Breast lumps can occur in both sexes and in almost all ages. Thankfully though, the majority of breast lumps is benign. Breast lump benign conditions are not an unusual medical condition because the truth is, at least 60 percent of all women of reproductive age have it.
Breast lump benign conditions refers to breast tissue changes that are not cancerous. Eighty percent of all breast lumps that are biopsied turn out to be benign. So don’t assume right away that you’re bound to die soon simply because you have a breast benign condition. These lumps are usually not fatal so don’t trouble yourself. Bear in mind, however, that there are certain breast lump benign conditions that are linked with greater risk of developing cancer at a later time. With that said, one should not discount the importance of visiting the doctor in order to know for sure what your chances of getting cancer are.
There are several types of breast lump benign conditions. The most common are fibrocystic changes, hyperplasia, adenosis, fibroadenomas, phyllodes tumors, intraductal papillomas, granular cell tumors, fat necrosis and oil cysts, mastitis, and duct ectasia, to name a few.
Breast lump benign conditions are usually divided into three major groups which include non-proliferative lesions, proliferative lesions without atypia, and proliferative lesions with atypia. The grouping depends on whether the cells are rapidly increasing in number (proliferative) and whether the cell pattern deviates from normal (atypia).
Non-proliferative lesions are normally not associated with a marked increase in the risk of breast cancer. Fibrocystic changes, mild hyperplasia and fibroadenoma are some common examples under this group. Proliferative lesions with atypia, on the other hand, are associated with a slight increase in breast cancer risk. Benign conditions under this group are usual ductal hyperplasia (without atypia), complex fibroadenoma, and multiple papillomas. Women with proliferative lesions with atypia have about 3.5 to 4.5-fold risk of getting breast cancer. Examples of conditions under this category are atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia.
Breast lump benign conditions may predispose a woman at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Thus, it’s advisable that you seek consult from a doctor right away because early detection can save your life.
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