Fibrocystic
Breasts
Perhaps
the most common problem, previously called fibrocystic
"disease", is actually not a disease at all (photo, arrow).
Fibrocystic breasts have small lumps, bumps, swellings,
and occasional discomfort. These changes generally
occur during the 20s or 30s, though some woman will get
it with their first period (usually around age 12).
Contrary to previous medical opinion, recent studies have
shown that the fibrocystic condition does not increase
ones chance of developing breast cancer or other problems.
This fibrocystic change (or condition) has been found
to affect 60% to 90% of woman.
Fibroadenomas
and larger breast
cysts (fluid-filled pocket) pose a more difficult
problem since they can cause discomfort and need to be
proven that they are not cancer before they can be ignored.
Breast
Cancer
The
most serious and concerning breast disease is breast cancer.
Afflicting 1 out of every 9 woman (at some time during
their life), this is a common cancer that can cause severe
disability and death if not diagnosed and treated early.
Breast cancer is curable if detected and dealt with early.
Click here to
learn how to detect breast cancer early.
Some
risk factors for developing Breast Cancer
AGE:
The peak time for developing breast cancer is after menopause
(about age 50 and older). It is quite uncommon in
woman younger than 20.
GEOGRAPHY:
For reasons that are unclear, breast cancer is 5 times
more common in the United States than in Japan and Taiwan.
FAMILY
HISTORY: There is a strong genetic component
to this disease, so woman whose mother or sister (e.g.,
a first degree relative) has had breast cancer are at
increased risk.
LENGTH
OF REPRODUCTIVE LIFE: Risk increases with early
menarche (one's first period) and late menopause (last
period).
CHILDBIRTH:
Breast cancer occurs more commonly in woman who have NOT
had any children during their life, than in somebody who
has had children. Risk also increases if you were
older than 30 when you had your first child.
OBESITY:
An increased risk of breast cancer has been found in woman
who are more than 30% overweight.
PREVIOUS
BREAST CANCER: Having had a cancer in one's
breast (or uterus) increases the risk of getting a new
breast cancer.
DIET:
Some studies have shown that high-fat diets and moderate
alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer slightly.
Like
any part of the body, the breast can be affected by disease.
Mastitis and breast abscesses are relatively
common infections that are usually cured with antibiotics
and/or surgical drainage (pictured). The dry itchy
skin of eczema can affect the breast skin as it can
anywhere else on the body, and is treated the same way (with
moisturizer and possibly topical steroids).