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ʘʘ Understanding Healthy Breasts ʘʘ
- Oct 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
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- Comments (10) Total Views (381) Everyone can see this journal post.
In order to understand breast cancer, women need to have some basic knowledge as to what is normal in regards to their breasts. Therefore, this post entails a bit of helpful information in understanding the structure and make up of a healthy female breast.
The female breast is made up mainly of lobules (milk-producing glands), ducts (tiny tubes that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple), and stroma (fatty tissue and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels) (ACS, 2009).
Most cancers of the breast are ductal cancers, or cancer that begins in the cells around the ducts. However there are also cancers that begin in the cells that line the lobules (lobular cancers) and a small number start in other tissues.
Not all breast lumps are cancerous. Benign, meaning non-cancerous, lumps are commonly found in women of varying ages. Actually, most lumps that are found in the breast turn out to be benign. A doctor will biopsy the surrounding tissue in order to test for any cancerous cells, but in general there are common reasons for these occurring lumps.
One such example of these benign lumps are due to what is known as Fibrocystic changes. Fibrosis is the formation of scar-like tissue and cysts are fluid-filled sacs, thus the term Fibrocystic. These types of benign lumps are often noticed just before a woman's period by noticing a feeling of lumpy breasts and sometimes a milky appearing discharge. These fibrocystic changes, though sometimes annoying, are normal growths.
There are some abonormal growths that can also result in benign breast tumors (growths). These are known as fibroadenomas or intraductal papillomas. Both of these types of growths are not cancerous and do not spread outside of the breast tissue and themselves are not life threatening. Sadly, however, women that deal with continues benign breast growths find themselves at a higher risk for actually developing a form of breast cancer. It is important to have all lumps looked at and to check your breast regularly.
Breast cancer is particularly dangerous because of the proximity of a variety of lymph nodes in the surrounding area. Lymph nodes are a collection of cells that make up an integral part of the immune system. This system helps to fight infections and keep your body healthy.
Most lymphatic vessels in the breast connect to lymph nodes under the arm (axillary nodes). Some lymphatic vessels connect to lymph nodes inside the chest (internal mammary nodes) and those either above or below the collarbone (supraclavicular or infraclavicular nodes) (ACS, 2009). The proximity of these important lymph nodes make it easier for the cancerous cells to make their way out of the breast tissue and travel to other parts of the body.
source:
American Cancer Society (ACS). 2009. www.acs.org
Comments:
Yay! Boobiesboobiesboobiesboobies!!
My mom develops benign lumps in her breasts because she encapsulates caffeine in the fatty tissue of her breasts. They've been biopsied and everything, but she still has to have a mammogram every 6 months because they can turn cancerous at any time.
Great information though!
That is good information, Carmin. Thank you for taking the time to write it. Ladies, vote it up!
Awesome!
Thankyou so much for this. I was diagnosed with LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ) just under 3 months ago. I found a benign lump by accident and after a biopsy of the surrounding tissue and lobules they found it by accident. I now take tamoxifen medication and get mammograms every 6 months and also with an ultrasound. We also just found out after genetic testing - That I carry the breast cancer gene.
"Feel your boobs" is my philosophy and if anyone feels uncomfortable about something they do feel - Please see your Doctor!
The NFL is wearing pink tonight during Sunday Night Football! Ha!
The NFL is wearing pink tonight during Sunday Night Football! Ha!
This makes me smile!
Thanks for posting this, i am getting a biopsy done this week, I am only 33.
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Thank you, thank you for the wonderful information. You is a smarty pants, woman.
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