What is normal and what's abnormal?

Posted at: 02/01/2008 11:17 AM | Updated at: 03/03/2009 3:44 PM
By: Joan Lucas

What's normal and what's abnormal?

One of the most frequently asked questions women have is what's normal and what's abnormal?

All women should be doing monthly self-exams and that will familiarize you with what's normal for your breast.

Breast cancer is often first suspected when a lump is felt, during either a self-exam or a clinical exam, or when an abnormal area is found on a mammogram. Most of the time, these suspicious areas do not turn out to be cancer, but the only way to know for sure is through follow-up tests.

Often there are no outward signs of breast cancer that you can see or feel. If there are outward signs, the more common ones include a lump, an area of thickening, or a dimple in the breast. Less common signs include breast swelling and redness or an enlarged underarm lymph node.

But even if you have one or more of these signs, it still doesn't mean you have breast cancer. Remember that most breast lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous). Still, it's extremely important that you SEE YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY if you're worried that you might have breast cancer. Having your doctor take a look will ease your worry, and if anything is found, you'll be able to take care of it quickly - when it's most treatable.

Here are some physical signs that warrant a visit with your doctor:

·         Significant nipple contraction

·         Discharge from only one nipple

·         Bloody nipple discharge

·         Persistent rash on breast

·         Lump or change detected in self-exam

·         Dimple in breast

If you'd like more information, the non-profit breast cancer education organization breast cancer.org has a great deal of helpful material on the signs, symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer.  http://www.breastcancer.org/questions/bc_signs.jsp

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