Breast nodules, sometimes referred to as “breast masses,” are the most common breast conditions in women.
Most breast nodules are found during physical examination and are often described by breast ultrasound, such as “hypoechoic nodules of the breast”.
Breast nodules are not painful or itchy, and there is basically no feeling. If it is not for the use of mammography and B-ultrasound during the physical examination, many people may not know that their breasts have nodules.
Breast nodules can grow on one or both sides; they can grow only one or more at the same time.
Breast nodules cause anxiety because, in many accounts, breast nodules can become cancerous. Of course, some people say that breast nodules will disappear on their own, so don’t worry about them.
Which statement is more reliable, let’s take a look today.
What we need to know is that breast nodules are not a specific breast disease, but a general term for a type of breast disease. Including breast cysts, hyperplastic nodules, breast fibroadenomas, lobulated tumors, breast cancer, and even a part of non-lactation inflammation, etc., can also be called breast nodules.
In the exam report, breast nodules are divided into 6 grades:
Grade 1 is negative, that is, it does not exist and has not been found, and grade 2 is benign, that is, there is no possibility of malignancy. Grade 3 is benign, grades 4 and 5 may be malignant, and grade 6 is malignant.
The higher the classification level, the higher the risk of malignancy.
What should I look out for if the test results suggest a breast nodule?
We talked about the level of the nodule earlier, so if the test result indicates that there is a breast nodule, look at the level first, and ignore the first and second level.
Most breast nodules are grade 3, and more than 98% of grade 3 nodules are benign, and only need regular follow-up and observation. As long as there is no change, surgery is generally not required, and there are The breast nodules will disappear naturally.
The other 2% of nodules in grade 3 are not malignant, but are themselves malignant, just because they are too small to show, and appear to be benign, which is also required on a regular basis. Reason for review.
In addition to regular review, you should also pay attention to self-examination at home and observe the changes of nodules. If there is a nodule that grows rapidly, it is accompanied by local redness, swelling, heat and pain, local skin depression, and oranges appear. Skin-like changes and nipple discharge should be treated in time for a clear diagnosis and active treatment.
If it is directly grade 4 or above, then attention should be paid to biopsy confirmation, and then the doctor will formulate a treatment plan according to the results.
Some breast nodules, such as intraductal papilloma, are also benign breast tumors, but the risk of malignant transformation is very high, so before malignant transformation, some doctors will also recommend surgical resection .
In addition, women over the age of 40, or women with a family history of breast cancer, if a breast nodule is suddenly detected, they must be highly alert to the possibility of malignant transformation, and do a good job at home. At the same time, go to the hospital regularly for review.
Some mothers want to eliminate the formed nodules by breastfeeding, but breastfeeding can only reduce the incidence of breast cancer and has no effect on the formed nodules.
Even if some nodules disappear during breastfeeding, it is not due to breastfeeding and may disappear without breastfeeding.
Breast nodules are not directly related to diet, but are related to estrogen levels and function, so some people’s nodules will change slightly with the ups and downs of estrogen levels during menstruation.
If a review is required, it is better to do it one week after the menstrual period is clean, when the estrogen level is at its lowest and the impact on the results is relatively small.
People with mammary gland nodules should pay attention to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables to improve their resistance, and eat less food with heavy oil and sugar.
There is also a rumor in the society that breast nodules are related to depression and are caused by gas. But current research shows that there is no evidence that mood is linked to breast nodules, but that being angry during lactation does affect milk production.
Currently the only way to remove nodules is surgical excision. Any massage, injections, or medicines are not very useful, nor can they be rubbed open. So don’t believe in the so-called secret recipe and delay the disease.
Also, if you have breast nodules and plan to become pregnant,It is best to do a check-up before pregnancy to check the nature of the nodules. If the assessment is benign, it is sufficient to re-examine after breastfeeding.