Breast Health

Breast Health

Breast cancer statistics show that 26 women per 100000 women in India have breast cancer. While cancer is a severe and life-threatening disease, many women suffer from mild breast illnesses as well. Women who might experience mild breast pain during their menstrual cycles due to the hormonal changes occurring in their bodies may need guidance from specialists.

Some women experience pain on days other than the dates of their menstrual cycle, as some suffer from breast pain almost every day. This pain is usually associated with the neck, armpit, shoulder, and back. A tiring day of wearing tight clothes, sleeping in uncomfortable positions, or post-exercise aches could also cause such pain.

What is Meant by Breast Disorders?

Women’s hygiene and hormonal variations are the common causes of breast pain. Obesity, weight fluctuations, diet, exercise, and pregnancy affect the breasts. Other than the common causes, your breast pain might be a sign of potentially harmful disorders, such as cysts, lumps, infection, or even cancer.

Some serious disorders are:

• Breast cancer
• Breast cyst
• Fibroadenoma
• Sclerosing adenosis
• Breast lumps
• Fat necrosis
• Abscess

What are the Symptoms of Breast Disorders?

If you are wondering whether you have a breast disorder, check if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Breast pain
• Breast lumps
• Discharge at the alveolar region
• Discoloration or scaly skin
• Change in the shape of the breast
• Swelling, inflammation, redness, thickening, or puckering
• Bleeding

Your breast disorders may be benign, which means that they will be non-cancerous, or they could be malignant, which means that they could become cancerous. To protect yourself from such life-threatening breast diseases, it is very important to gain proper knowledge, perform self-examinations, and occasionally consult specialists.

What Causes Breast Disorders?

While the exact causes of individual disorders can vary, some of the common causes are:

• Fluctuations in the estrogen levels
• Menstrual abnormalities
• Obesity
• Radiation exposure
• Familial history of breast disorders
• Aging

Contraceptives or other medication could also trigger breast aches among women.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

Self-examinations commonly help detect breast disorders, and many women prefer them before consulting a gynecologist. If you observe a lump that does not go away, or if that lump becomes painful or results in pain in that region of the breast, it is recommended that you visit a doctor soon.

Observable symptoms, including breast pain, should not be ignored or taken lightly. A specialist can diagnose your breast disorder early and prescribe the right medication and treatment for your illness. Consulting your doctor for your concerns can help you maintain your breast health and prevent cancer or other diseases in the early stages.

Request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How Are Breast Disorders Diagnosed?

The common testing methodologies used by doctors to diagnose breast disorders are:

• Mammography: It is an imaging test that uses X-rays at very low doses of radiation to detect abnormalities. 
• Ultrasonography: This test helps determine the stage of breast cancer and the exact nature of the abnormalities (e.g., whether the lump has fluid in it/is it a cyst)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This determines the size and number of tumors and identifies abnormal lymph nodes. 

How Are Breast Disorders Treated?

Depending on your specific disorder, doctors rely on the following forms of treatment:

• Surgery: Surgical procedures such as mastectomy, mammaplasty, lymph node dissection, lumpectomy, and tissue expansions are used for treating breast cancer or other breast disorders.
• Medical Procedure: Teletherapy and radiation therapy is considered reliable and effective in shrinking tumors and eliminating cancer cells or abnormalities.
• Medications: Medications involving chemotherapy, hormone-based chemotherapy, estrogen modulators, and bone health improvement meds are used to treat breast disorders.

Conclusion

Women with breast disorders or those who wish to maintain optimum breast health frequently visit gynecologists for medical consultation. Regular self-examination is also essential to keep a check on possible lumps and cysts.

Maintaining breast health is necessary for every woman to maintain the quality of her life and prevent breast disorders from worsening. Doctors and specialists can diagnose and treat these disorders and help you protect yourself from breast cancer. Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals. Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.