At present, breast cancer has become the number one killer of female malignant tumors, and breast problems and diseases, including breast cancer, have also been paid more and more attention by women. Many women will be told about breast hyperplasia or breast nodules during the physical examination, which makes people panic. So what is the difference between these two types of breast problems? What is the meaning behind these two questions? How to look at and solve these two types of breast problems? This article will take you through understanding and distinguishing breast hyperplasia and nodules.
Breast hyperplasia
Breast hyperplasia is essentially a physiological phenomenon, because the breast is a hormone-regulated organ, so the breast is stimulated differently under fluctuations in hormone levels. When hormone levels are high, epithelial fibrous tissue on the ducts of the breast proliferates, which is commonly manifested as breast pain, often most pronounced in the premenstrual period. In addition, emotional anxiety, taking hormone drugs, improper diet, etc. will also affect the body's hormone levels, resulting in breast hyperplasia.
The symptoms and touch of breast hyperplasia are as follows: 1. The nipple is normally raised; 2. Sometimes you can feel the spherical or flaky lumps of different sizes, the boundaries of the lumps are clear and movable; 3. Breast swelling and pain will occur before menstruation, and the pain and lumps will decrease or even disappear after menstruation.
In general, breast hyperplasia is neither inflammatory nor tumor, it is just a pathological term, usually hyperplasia is mostly normal breast tissue, so the vast majority of hyperplasia is not needed to worry too much.
Of course, there are also some breast hyperplasias that are pathological, such as cystic hyperplasia types, which may become cancerous and require active treatment.
Breast nodules
During the physical examination, the doctor can generally preliminarily determine whether there is a nodule in the chest, that is, by touching and pressing. Symptoms and touch sensations of breast nodules include: 1. the nodules are frequent and clearly edged, well-shaped, and the touch is similar to the lips or the tip of the nose; 2. The lump is movable or accompanied by pain.
Breast nodules are essentially a tissue lesion formed by local hyperplasia of the breast, 80% of breast nodules are benign, some small nodules will change with the menstrual cycle, and some nodules will also decrease or disappear after the end of menstruation, without excessive panic. In cases where the pain is mild and the lump is not obvious, it is only necessary to check it regularly (once a year) and basically does not require treatment.
Dangerous signs of breast hyperplasia and nodules
Attention is required if the mass is not seen on ultrasound, but is seen in areas of abundant blood flow, axillary and/or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy.
If, on the basis of hyperplasia, the breast mass suddenly increases in a short period of time, and the edge becomes irregular, then it is necessary to be vigilant against cancer. If these conditions occur during regular physical examinations, the patient cannot be taken lightly and needs to see the relevant department immediately for further examination.
In addition, the following 8 types of breast diseases need to be examined at least once every six months: 1. Have a family history of breast cancer; 2. People who have their first menstruation before the age of twelve and menopause after the age of 55; 3. Women who have not given birth or have children after the age of 35; 4. Physical obesity; 5. Regular intake of high-protein, high-fat and high-animal fat foods; 6. Frequent use of health products and cosmetics containing exogenous estrogens; 7. Chronic adverse mental stimulation; 8. Long-term exposure to radiation.
Of course, in addition to regular breast examinations, maintaining a happy mood, healthy eating, living regularly, controlling weight, etc. can effectively alleviate or avoid breast hyperplasia and the occurrence of nodules. At the same time, do not listen to the false propaganda of beauty salons, massage shops and other businesses, do chest massage, physiotherapy, etc.