Female Breast

The female breast is either of two mammary glands (organs of milk secretion) on the chest.

Breast Lumps

Less than one-fourth of all breast lumps are found to be cancerous, but benign breast disease can be difficult to distinguish from cancer. Consequently, all breast lumps should be checked by a health care professional.

Causes of Breast Lumps

Most breast lumps are benign, as in fibroadenoma, a condition that affects mostly women under age 30. Fibrocystic breast disease is present in over 60% of all women. The cysts in FBD change in size with the menstrual cycle, whereas a lump from fibroadenoma does not. While most breast lumps are benign it is important to identify those that are not. If a lump is new, persistent, growing, hard, immobile and/or causing skin deformities, it should be evaluated by a health care professional.

Mammary Gland

The anatomy of the breast includes the lactiferous, or milk ducts, and the mammary lobules.

Mammogram

Mammography is a low-powered x-ray technique that gives a picture of the internal structure of the breast. A mammogram may help in the diagnosis of breast problems including cancer. It is recommended a woman have a baseline mammogram at age 40 followed by a mammogram every couple of years until age 50. After 50, a woman should have a mammogram every year.

Abnormal Discharge from the Nipple

Abnormal nipple discharge may be described as any discharge not associated with lactation. The nature of the discharge may range in color, consistency and composition, and occur in one or both breasts.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic breast disease is a common and benign change within the breast characterized by a dense irregular and bumpy consistency in the breast tissue. Mammography or biopsy may be needed to rule out other disorders.