{"id":4667,"date":"2020-02-17T07:39:31","date_gmt":"2020-02-17T07:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mymedicplus.com\/news\/?p=4667"},"modified":"2021-03-31T00:45:02","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T19:15:02","slug":"8-causes-of-breast-lumps-that-arent-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedicplus.com\/blog\/8-causes-of-breast-lumps-that-arent-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Causes of Breast Lumps That Aren\u2019t Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Source: shape.com<\/p>\n

More often than not, the culprit behind your lumps and bumps isn\u2019t cancer. So what\u2019s really going on with your breasts?<\/p>\n

In the final season of\u00a0Sex and the City<\/em>, confident-as-hell Samantha Jones is at a consultation for a breast augmentation when her plastic surgeon discovers a lump. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding…it\u2019s not serious, right?\u201d she asks. And though the doctor reassures her that it\u2019s probably just a cyst, the ever-fierce Samantha is visibly worried about her health. (After all, a lump in the breast is one of most noticeable\u00a0signs of breast cancer.)<\/p>\n

Despite the exaggerated love triangles and drama that\u00a0SATC<\/em>\u00a0is known for, Samantha\u2019s situation isn\u2019t too far from reality: eight in 10 women develop lumps in their breasts at some point, says\u00a0Sherry A. Ross, M.D., F.A.C.O.G, author of\u00a0She-ology<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0She-ology: The She-quel<\/em>. Although Samantha\u2019s lump turned out to be cancerous, most breast lumps are caused by\u00a0other<\/em>\u00a0medical conditions, according to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n

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In fact, lumps in the breast can stem from something as simple where you are in your\u00a0menstrual cycle. In the days leading up to your period, estrogen and progesterone levels can fluctuate causing an increase in the nodularity (aka lumpiness) of breast tissue. This can result in temporary benign cysts, says Dr. Ross. \u201cIf you feel a breast lump just before your period, chances are it will go away once you finish your period,\u201d she adds. And just like chest size can vary, so can your level of lumpiness.\u00a0(Your\u00a0breasts may even sag more than others\u2014and that’s A-OK.)<\/p>\n

Reasons like this underscore why it\u2019s so important to become familiar with your breast tissue and your \u201cnormal,\u201d says Dr. Ross. She recommends performing a\u00a0a breast self-exam\u00a0on a monthly basis. ICYDK, a self exam should include both feeling\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0looking at your breasts. Do it in the four-day window right after your period ends, once the hormonal effects on breast tissue have subsided. When you\u2019ve established a mental roadmap of the usual lumps and bumps, you\u2019ll be able to detect any out-of-the-ordinary characteristics. \u201cEarly detection can be lifesaving when it comes to abnormal changes in breast tissue,\u201d says Dr. Ross. \u201cYou always have to be your best advocate when it comes to your health, especially your breast health.\u201d<\/p>\n

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If you notice a lump in your breast that isn\u2019t going away or a bump that feels like a peanut M&M (the typical shape and size of the majority of benign muscle tumors or breast cysts), go ahead and book an appointment with your doctor for an exam. They’ll determine if further testing, like a breast ultrasound, is necessary, says Dr. Ross. Even if your breasts feel lump-free, experiencing fevers and noticing changes in the size, shape, or appearance of your breasts (such as dimpling, puckering, swelling, redness, or darkening of the skin) are all be reasons to meet with your healthcare provider as well, she adds. All in all, if you\u2019re experiencing breast changes that worry you, there\u2019s no harm in scheduling that check-up. (Related:\u00a0This 24-Year-Old Found a Breast Cancer Lump While Getting Ready for a Night Out)<\/p>\n

So if cancer isn\u2019t typically the culprit, what\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0cause a seemingly random lump in the breast? Here, the medical conditions that could be the reason behind unwelcome bumps.<\/p>\n

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