About Your Breasts

The primary function of breasts is to produce milk following the birth of a baby. Each breast is made up of 15 - 20 lobes. These contain the milk producing glands and ducts along which the milk travels to the nipple. Fat and fibrous tissue surrounds these structures and gives the breasts their individual size and shape.

Breasts come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and one is normally slightly larger than the other. Size, however, has nothing to do with the amount of milk produced.

Blood vessels, lymph glands and nerves are also present in the breasts. Breast tissue is sensitive to touch and can provide sexual pleasure for ourselves and our partners.

Normal Breast Changes During Life

From adolescence to menopause, breast tissue is subject to hormone changes associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation. Benign nodularity or ‘lumpiness’ of the breast is very common. The glandular breast tissue changes throughout the menstrual cycle - becoming more tender and lumpy just prior to a menstrual period and less tender and lumpy after a period.

Women in their forties, that is the peri-menopausal years, often experience increased breast discomfort due to a change in hormone levels which effect breast tissue. 

In the post-menopausal years, the glandular tissue of the breast is largely replaced by fatty tissue. 

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells which, in the breast, starts in the milk ducts. It may grow into surrounding tissues and spread ultimately to other organs of the body.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in Australian women. However, whilst we should be responsible about looking after our breast health, it is important to remember that many more women die of heart disease and stroke in Australia than they do of breast cancer.

Who is most at risk of developing breast cancer?

• All women over 50 years of age
• Women who have had a previous breast cancer.
• Women with a family history (mother, daughter or sister) of breast cancer

EARLY DIAGNOSIS is the key to successful treatment.

FACT - 9 out of 10 breast lumps are not cancer. 

Taking care of Your Breasts

It is important to know your breasts so that you can tell what changes are normal to you.

For all women, changes that are not normal should be discussed with your doctor immediately
- breast awareness is important so take a few minutes to look at and feel your breasts on a regular basis.

For women younger than 40 years
- Regular screening mammograms are not recommended.

For women 40-49 years
- BreastScreen Australia offers free screening mammograms every two years for women aged 40 years and over.

For women 50-69 years
- It is recommended that you have a free screening mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Australia. This is the age group in which the benefit of screening mammography has been shown to be the greatest.

For women 70 years or older 
- BreastScreen Australia offers free screening mammograms every two years for women aged 70 years and older. Whether you attend will depend on your general health, whether you have any other diseases or conditions, and your preference.

Women at higher risk Two or more family members have had breast or ovarian cancer (especially if they are close relatives – mother, sister or daughter – and/or if they were younger than 50 when their cancer was diagnosed or you have previously been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer or a pre-invasive breast disease

Whatever your  age you should have regular follow up with your doctor including regular mammograms and/or ultrasound and a physical examination of your breasts by your doctor. This may be annually.

If you notice any changes from your normal, or have any concerns, seek advice from your doctor immediately. 

For more information on breast hanges, types of changes and investigating breast change go to:

National Breast Cancer Breast Centre - Breast Changes
http://www.breasthealth.com.au/breastchanges/index.html

For more information about women at higher risk go to:

National Breast Cancer Breast Centre - Breast Health Higher Risk
http://www.breasthealth.com.au/earlydetection/higherrisk.html

Mammography

Breast X-ray screening can show breast changes that are too small to be felt by you or examination by your doctor. 

As breast cancer is most common in women over 50, BreastScreen offer free screening mammography to women  over this age. However, women over 40 can also use the service. In younger women the breast tissue is denser and it is more difficult differentiate normal vs abnormal breast tissue.

For an appointment telephone 13 20 50 - no referral is necessary or visit the BreastScreen web site in your State.

Common Breast Problems

Painful breasts

Often this is linked to the menstrual cycle, with your breasts becoming tender or painful just before your period. This is a normal occurrence caused by fluid retention due to hormonal activity at that time. Cancer rarely causes painful breasts however, it is wise to have it checked by your doctor who may be able to suggest ways to manage the discomfort.

Both the contraceptive pill and hormone therapy (HT) can cause breast discomfort in some women. Sometimes a change in the prescribed type of hormone is necessary. Ask your doctor.

How can I relieve breast tenderness or pain?

• Try a warm shower, bath or hot water bottle to the breast
• Some women find an ice pack over the breast more effective than warmth
• Check that you have a comfortable, supportive bra. Alternatively, some women find it more comfortable without a bra at this time. Try and see which is the most comfortable for you
• Reduce your intake of caffeine (coffee, tea, cola and chocolate). Also try to reduce your intake of salt and fat
• You may find relief by taking 100mg of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) together with vitamin B1 (thiamine) and 1000mg or more of Evening Primrose Oil per day.

If none of the above relieves your breast discomfort, seek advice from your doctor.

Fibroadenomas

These are a common cause of breast lumps and occur more frequently in women between the ages of 15-30.

They may occur occasionally in older women. Each lump consists of fat and fibrous tissue that is benign (non-cancerous), is painless, feels quite firm and is mobile in the breast tissue. 

Most fibroadenomas are small, however, as with all lumps they should be further assessed by your doctor.

Benign fibrocystic disease

This can develop as we age, and is the most common cause of non-cancerous lumps, thickening of the breast tissue, and cysts. It is more common in women whose breasts are particularly sensitive to the monthly changes in hormone levels associated with the menstrual cycle. The problem usually disappears after menopause, although if you are taking HT these symptoms may continue.

Cysts can be painful and are caused by fluid trapped in breast tissue. Although harmless, they should be checked by your doctor who may aspirate (remove) the fluid using a syringe with a fine needle. This procedure may cause some discomfort. The presence of fluid generally confirms the diagnosis, and following aspiration the cyst will usually disappear. Sometimes cysts continue to recur and surgical removal may be necessary.

Breast ultrasound is a diagnostic technique that can be used to assess whether a lump is cystic (fluid) or solid.

Nipple discharge

When breast feeding, it is quite normal for milk to leak from your nipples. This will gradually cease after you have weaned your baby. 

If a discharge occurs at any other time, and particularly if the discharge is watery or blood stained, have this checked by your doctor. 

Any inversion (pulling in) of the nipple should also be checked. Although often caused by harmless conditions, these symptoms can indicate a breast cancer.

Inflammation of the breast (mastitis)

This causes redness, heat and pain in the affected breast tissue. Most commonly this is caused by an infection during breast feeding. If these symptoms occur when not breastfeeding, please see your doctor immediately. Treatment with antibiotics needs to be started immediately to prevent an abscess forming. However, if an abscess forms, a small surgical procedure is required to drain it.

Healthy lifestyle = healthy breasts 

• Eat a healthy diet - include the following
  Plenty of fruits, vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts
  Whole grains/cereals
  Reduce animal fats
  Incorporate foods rich in phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) such as legumes, including soy, lentils and grains on a daily basis
• Eat foods that are low in fat
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
• Do not smoke
• Regular physical activity - Australia's national physical activity guidelines recommend that adults accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity (such as walking) most days of the week.
• Avoid excess caffeine
• Pay good attention to your breast health. 

If you have any queries or concerns see your doctor.

Further Resources

Breastscreen Australia

Content updated May 19, 2005