Daniel Chukwuemeka Okwum
Fibroadenoma is a benign breast lump. The term benign is an indicator of being non-cancerous. It occurs in the breast of young women especially in their twenties. Though we have men who are endowed with breasts, as it were, yet fibroadenoma seldom occur in men. For women, it could occur in any of the breasts. In most cases, it does not get bigger than 2cm in size.
Causes
The cause of this lump is not known. However, there is the possibility that hence it mostly occur in young women, it may have to do with the level of reproductive hormones in the blood stream.
Characteristics of Fibroadenoma
1. It is a solid palpable lump (can be felt)
2. It is freely mobile, i.e. its not static or glued to a point in the breast,
3. It is often painless, (sometimes it may be painful, probably due to the phase of your cycle).
4. It is definite in shape (oval or round).
5. It does not spread to other parts of the body
6. It can remain in the breast for a long time.
7. It's not lethal, it's not deadly.
Characteristics of Cancerous lumps
1. It's also a solid lump
2. It's like glued to a point in the breast
3. It's painless at it's first two stages or so, but becomes excruciatingly painful at later stages
4. It's irregular in shape
5. It spreads to other parts of the body like the liver
6. It's lethal if not detected early enough
7. Capable of leading to economic wreckage.
How to distinguish fibroadenoma from a cancerous lump
The first few characteristics above may help you make some quick judgement as you make your way to see your doctor.
First line of Action
Once you discover a lump, quickly report to the hospital. Your doctor would conduct a physical examination on you to confirm the presence of a lump(s) in your breasts. Despite the outcome of the physical examination, your doctor will yet refer you for further examinations, most likely an ultrasound scan of both breasts.
Not yet registered in a hospital, or not that bouyant enough to do so?
No quarlms, look out for a reputable ultrasound scan centre around you, whether in a hospital or not, simply walk in and request for an ultrasound of both breasts. If after getting it done, you seem unsatisfied with the outcome, it's a free world - go for a second opinion in another ultrasound centre and then compare the outcome of both scans.
Curative Options
1. Minor breast surgery - Lumpectomy
This may last for only 30 minutes or less. Almost immediately afterwards, you would be good to go back home and continue your routine activities where you left off. Like... it's that minor and nothing to be scared of. You get rid of it and get rid of your anxiety of having a breast lump. However, surgery leaves scars on the affected breast(s).
Lumpectomy bra: Post- Surgery bra.
Your doctor may advise you to use a low impart, loose or wire-free bra for some time, after the surgery.
2. You may choose to leave it.
I wouldn't advise you to for this option, especially because of the associated anxiety that comes with a discovery and confirmation of breast lumps.
FIBROADENOMA: Facts you must know
1. It's not cancerous
2. Does not degenerate into a cancerous lump
3. May be left in the breast or removed
4. Shrinks or vanishes at menopause(when there is less reproductive hormone)
5. It's not lethal.
My Advice for every woman
Whether or not you have a pain or lump in the breast, resolve to abide by these routine:
1. Do a self breast examination at least once in a month
2. Do a routine breast ultrasound scan at least once a year.
3. For married and child bearing women, allow sufficient massage and breast feeding activities. For singles, wait for your time!!!
Fibroadenoma is a benign breast lump. The term benign is an indicator of being non-cancerous. It occurs in the breast of young women especially in their twenties. Though we have men who are endowed with breasts, as it were, yet fibroadenoma seldom occur in men. For women, it could occur in any of the breasts. In most cases, it does not get bigger than 2cm in size.
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| Fibroadenoma in the left breast. Abina: Code title. |
Causes
The cause of this lump is not known. However, there is the possibility that hence it mostly occur in young women, it may have to do with the level of reproductive hormones in the blood stream.
Characteristics of Fibroadenoma
1. It is a solid palpable lump (can be felt)
2. It is freely mobile, i.e. its not static or glued to a point in the breast,
3. It is often painless, (sometimes it may be painful, probably due to the phase of your cycle).
4. It is definite in shape (oval or round).
5. It does not spread to other parts of the body
6. It can remain in the breast for a long time.
7. It's not lethal, it's not deadly.
Characteristics of Cancerous lumps
1. It's also a solid lump
2. It's like glued to a point in the breast
3. It's painless at it's first two stages or so, but becomes excruciatingly painful at later stages
4. It's irregular in shape
5. It spreads to other parts of the body like the liver
6. It's lethal if not detected early enough
7. Capable of leading to economic wreckage.
How to distinguish fibroadenoma from a cancerous lump
The first few characteristics above may help you make some quick judgement as you make your way to see your doctor.
First line of Action
Once you discover a lump, quickly report to the hospital. Your doctor would conduct a physical examination on you to confirm the presence of a lump(s) in your breasts. Despite the outcome of the physical examination, your doctor will yet refer you for further examinations, most likely an ultrasound scan of both breasts.
Not yet registered in a hospital, or not that bouyant enough to do so?
No quarlms, look out for a reputable ultrasound scan centre around you, whether in a hospital or not, simply walk in and request for an ultrasound of both breasts. If after getting it done, you seem unsatisfied with the outcome, it's a free world - go for a second opinion in another ultrasound centre and then compare the outcome of both scans.
Curative Options
1. Minor breast surgery - Lumpectomy
This may last for only 30 minutes or less. Almost immediately afterwards, you would be good to go back home and continue your routine activities where you left off. Like... it's that minor and nothing to be scared of. You get rid of it and get rid of your anxiety of having a breast lump. However, surgery leaves scars on the affected breast(s).
Lumpectomy bra: Post- Surgery bra.
Your doctor may advise you to use a low impart, loose or wire-free bra for some time, after the surgery.
2. You may choose to leave it.
I wouldn't advise you to for this option, especially because of the associated anxiety that comes with a discovery and confirmation of breast lumps.
FIBROADENOMA: Facts you must know
1. It's not cancerous
2. Does not degenerate into a cancerous lump
3. May be left in the breast or removed
4. Shrinks or vanishes at menopause(when there is less reproductive hormone)
5. It's not lethal.
My Advice for every woman
Whether or not you have a pain or lump in the breast, resolve to abide by these routine:
1. Do a self breast examination at least once in a month
2. Do a routine breast ultrasound scan at least once a year.
3. For married and child bearing women, allow sufficient massage and breast feeding activities. For singles, wait for your time!!!
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