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Breast care

Breast Health: What is normal & What is not

Breast care

Women need to take care of their breasts at all ages. Taking care of your breasts will help you prevent any complications, especially the deadliest of them all - breast cancer.

Most women tend to worry about things that are not that unusual. For instance, it completely normal if you have any of the following:

  • One of your breasts is slightly smaller than the other
  • One breast is lower than the other
  • Hair around the nipples
  • Pain in your breasts during or before your menstrual periods

However, if you notice any of the following, make sure you consult the best gynaecologist in Lucknow to avoid any complications.

  • A firm lump
  • Swelling around your breast, underarm or collarbone
  • Skin around the nipple becomes dry, cracked or turns red
  • Blood or fluid leaking from your nipples
  • Warmth or itching in your breasts

While these symptoms do not always indicate a medical condition, it is best to have them examined by an experienced gynaecologist. It is most likely that these may be caused by an irritation or infection which is easily treatable.

Here are a few things you need to watch out for:

Lumps

There can be different reasons for developing breast lumps; majorly, these lumps are not signs of risk or cancer. These lumps can happen because of any kind of infection, trauma, cyst, or more reasons. Though breast lumps are more common in women, breast lumps can happen to anyone, men or women. A non-cancerous sac filled with fluid in the breasts is called a breast cyst. A breast cyst might feel rubbery and smooth under the skin, and it can be painless or painful in different cases—acute pain or tenderness. Feeling an alarming sharp pain in the breasts can be scary, but it does not always mean the cause of cancer.

In most cases, acute breast pain is related to hormonal changes or the mensuration cycle. If the acute pain comes with additional symptoms, it might need medical attention. These symptoms could be feeling nauseous for no reason or sweating, shortness in breathing, feeling of fullness, pressure in the chest, and fainting.

Fluid discharge from nipples

Nipples discharging fluid while not breastfeeding can cause panic, but it can be normal. There are two kinds of discharges from nipples –normal and abnormal. Normal fluid discharge can happen after stopping breastfeeding, during pregnancy, or after wearing tight bras or doing heavy activity or exercise. The abnormal fluid discharge of the nipple is determined by doctors, who might also ask to take further tests to analyze the conditions, but there are many non-cancerous reasons for fluid discharge from nipples. It can also possibly happen because of infection.

The inversion of the nipple

Inversion of the nipple can happen in both breasts and can occur in both men and women. Inverted nipples can be a condition by birth or it can be developed in later part of age as well. Inverted nipples can indicate the need for medical attention.

Change in the breast skin

The changes in the breast skin include redness, rashes, itchiness, swelling, and more, but they can happen for any reason. The change in colour or texture of breast skin could be caused by an allergic reaction, bacterial or fungal infections, or it can also be a medical side effect.

Diagnosing breast problems

Breast biopsy: it is a simple, painless procedure in which a sample of breast tissue is examined in the laboratory to determine the type of breast lump or if the lump is cancerous or not.

Ultrasound of breast: Breast ultrasound imaging is done using sound waves that produce the image of the breast's internal structure. A breast ultrasound is done to diagnose the lumps in the breast and other breast problems. A breast ultrasound can also detect a sac-filled fluid in the breast.

Mammogram: the breast mammogram is an X-ray image of the breast. A doctor uses a breast mammogram to test signs of breast cancer.

Best doctor for Breast Care

Dr. Nupur Anand Shukla is the best gynaecologist in Telangana & offers expertise in all breast related issues. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a breast abnormality, Dr Sarada will provide an individualised personal plan of care for you.