Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions: What You Need to Know

Are you afraid that you may have breast cancer? Perhaps you have recently discovered a new breast lump or unexplained nipple discharge. Or maybe a recent mammogram screening report has shown a suspicious finding. Before you receive a formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional, please do not worry. It is important to remember that many non-cancerous breast conditions can have similar symptoms to breast cancer, but they are often less severe and more treatable. Some may even require only regular monitoring without any treatment.

It is understandable to feel concerned if you are experiencing symptoms that could be related to breast cancer. It is always best to consult with a medical professional to determine the cause of your symptoms and receive appropriate care.

Fibroadenomas are non-cancerous solid breast lumps made up of glandular and stromal tissue. They are more commonly found in younger premenopausal women, but they may be present in women of all ages. Fibroadenomas may or may not be felt as a lump, depending on their size. They may also show up on mammograms and breast ultrasounds. Fibroadenomas tend to be round and generally look the same under a microscope. These are called simple fibroadenomas. Complex fibroadenomas look different and may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. A biopsy may or may not be needed to confirm whether a breast lump is a fibroadenoma.

Generally, a fibroadenoma is:

• A solid breast lump
• Movable under the skin
• Firm and rubbery
• Have clear borders

Most fibroadenomas do not need any treatment. In fact, some may stop growing or even shrink on their own. However, surgical removal of the fibroadenoma will be recommended if it is growing in size, changing in appearance, or causing symptoms such as pain. Women with fibroadenomas are encouraged to go for regular breast exams or imaging tests to stay on top of their condition and make sure there are no changes or growth. Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health.

Fibrocystic changes are thought to be natural non-cancerous changes in fibrous tissue and/or cysts. These changes are more common in younger women but can affect women of any age. Fibrosis refers to the formation or development of fibrous tissue (like scar tissue). They may feel firm and rubbery. Cysts are round or oval sacs filled with fluid.

There are different types of cysts. A breast ultrasound is normally able to identify what kind of cyst it is. Those that are filled entirely with fluid (simple cysts) are rarely a cause for concern. Those that are observed to have ‘debris’ inside them (complicated cysts) are unlikely to be cancer, but a doctor may recommend extracting the fluid to confirm it. Cysts that are more complex and have solid features have a higher chance of being cancerous, so a biopsy is often needed to find out if it is cancerous.

Symptoms of fibrocystic changes include:

• A new breast lump(s)
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Nipple discharge
• Breast swelling

Fibrocystic changes are a natural occurrence and typically do not require treatment. However, they can cause discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate this discomfort, such as draining fluid from a cyst to relieve pressure and using over-the-counter pain relievers during menstrual cycles when swelling is most painful.

Breast adenosis refers to the benign breast condition in which the lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast become enlarged due to certain changes in the breast. Lobules also often increase in number. When the enlarged lobules are near each other, they may be felt as a breast lump. Calcifications may also accumulate in adenosis. These can also show up on mammograms. As these are similar to breast cancer symptoms, a breast biopsy is often needed to confirm if there is cancer. Treatment is not usually required for adenosis unless it causes discomfort.

Mastitis refers to an inflammation of the breast caused by an infection. It normally occurs in breastfeeding women but may sometimes happen to others. Infection may be caused by a clogged milk duct or breaks in the skin of the nipple. As a reaction to the body fighting the infection, swelling and inflammation in the breast may occur. This may cause the following symptoms:

• A part of the breast that is swollen, painful, red, warm to the touch
• Fever
• Headache

To treat mastitis, doctors usually drain any accumulated milk, pus, or fluid from the breast and prescribe antibiotics. If symptoms persist even after a week of antibiotic treatment, a breast tissue biopsy may be necessary, as mastitis has similar symptoms to inflammatory breast cancer. It's important to follow up with a doctor for further tests if the antibiotic treatment does not seem to be working, as inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but fast-growing and aggressive cancer. Do not worry, as this will increase the chances of an accurate diagnosis.

Fat necrosis refers to the development of lumps from dead or damaged breast tissue. These lumps are non-cancerous and normally occur after part of the breast is injured. When the fat cells die, they release a greasy fluid, which forms sacs called oil cysts. Small deposits of calcium may accumulate around the walls of cysts, making them visible on mammograms. These lumps and cysts usually cannot be felt and generally do not hurt. If they cannot be identified to be cancerous or not from a mammogram or ultrasound, a needle biopsy may be done to confirm it. If it is not cancerous, no treatment is needed unless it grows or causes other symptoms and discomfort.

Intraductal papilloma is a benign tumor that grows within the milk ducts of the breast. It is caused by the abnormal growth of ductal epithelial cells. Papillomas may be present as single or multiple growths, and these often cannot be felt as breast lumps. They usually cause nipple discharge. Papillomas may or may not be visible on an imaging test, and a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis. Papillomas may or may not need to be treated depending on factors such as their size and numbers. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove them.

If you are worried about a breast cancer symptom, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Whether it is breast cancer, a non-cancerous breast condition, or a false alarm, it is best to confirm it and receive the appropriate treatment quickly. Though it may be intimidating and time-consuming to visit a doctor and hear unexpected news, it is necessary and critical in the fight against aggressive breast cancers. You can trust that they will be there for you every step of the way to offer the support and resources you need to regain your health quickly.