Breast Tumour

Breast Tumours called ‘Fibroadenoma’

Introduction

A Fibroadenoma refers to a non-cancerous breast tumour. It is usually felt like a small stone or swelling lodged in the skin underneath the breasts. Fibroadenoma occurs mostly in young women aged twenty to thirty years and is usually caused by reproductive hormones.

Usually, lumps in the breasts are synonymous with breast cancer. However, not all breast lumps are indicators of cancer.

How are fibroadenoma lumps different from the deadly breast cancer lumps?
Unlike cancerous lumps, fibroadenomas do not cause changes to the nipple or breast. This means fibroadenoma is not characterized by nipple discharge, redness, inflammation, swelling, or skin irritation.  Also, a fibroadenoma lump is movable around the skin, unlike cancerous lumps.

Usually, a fibroadenoma will require a mammogram screening, which is a medical examination done by a medical expert to establish how lethal the tumour is. Fibroadenomas usually go away on their own, even without medical attention. Though, in most cases, a doctor schedules surgery to remove the lump if it does not shrink or if it grows bigger.

In rare occasions, a fibroadenoma is a death scare, particularly in females where breast cancer runs in the family. 

Symptoms of a Fibroadenoma.

A Fibroadenoma is characterized by a painless and easily movable lump in the breast. It feels like a small rubbery stone buried underneath the skin.

People, especially females, are encouraged to regularly perform breast self-examinations to check for alien lumps lodged in their breasts. A self-examination can be done by gently using fingers to inspect the skin for any lumps. This can be done in front of a mirror or when practising regular routine like taking a bath.

Even if one notices non-cancerous symptoms after self-examination, it is healthy to have a consultation with a licensed medical expert for proper medical advice. The doctor might suggest a mammogram to evaluate the lumps further. Based on the results, the doctor will establish whether to schedule surgery to remove the fibroadenoma or an extra confirmation from a biopsy. A biopsy is a medical examination of cells or tissues usually done to confirm a suspicion of cancer.

Conclusion.

Not all lumps detected in the breasts are cancerous. Some are non-cancerous lumps called fibroadenoma and can be detected by self-examination or having a consultation with a medical expert to schedule a mammogram. However, this does not mean that non-cancerous symptoms should be ignored. Both deserve medical attention and evaluation.

Martha Uwera

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