“Your breasts and health: 5 things your breasts say about your health” is a collaborative post.
As they go through puberty, women typically experience some significant changes in their bodies, especially in their breasts. These changes, although a natural aspect of growth and development, can also convey some important information about their health and wellness.
From seemingly minor changes to more pronounced symptoms, understanding the changes that evolve in the breast and their indications enables you to take a proactive approach to managing your health and addressing any potential concern.
Every bump, lump, or change in the appearance of the breast, can offer an insight into your overall health. Let’s dive into some of these changes, and what they might indicate about your health.
1. Size changes
One of the most noticeable indicators of lifestyle factors or underlying health conditions is changes in breast size. Slight changes in breast size are normal for most people, however significant and sudden changes should be evaluated promptly.
Weight loss and ageing generally results in a natural reduction in breast size. While factors like hormonal fluctuation and weight gain or loss are common reasons for changes in breast size, certain breast conditions can also result in these changes.
In cases where weight gain results in large breast size, and is causing significant discomfort, a breast reduction might be a viable option. If one breast is significantly bigger than the other it could indicate a cyst, hormonal imbalance, an infection, or even breast cancer.
2. Skin changes
The skin of your breasts can be a reflection of your overall health.
It is normal for the colour of your breast skin to resemble your overall complexion. However, certain changes in colour, such as redness, and hyperpigmentation may indicate inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, or poor circulation.
Dimpling, that is resembling the skin of an orange and thickening of the breast can be indicative of underlying health conditions. Sometimes it could include inflammation, infection, or even breast cancer, making it important to consult a healthcare professional.
However, while some changes in the breast skin can be reason for alarm, some are generally harmless. For instance, the appearance of stretch marks is a normal occurrence, often resulting from rapid growth during puberty or pregnancy.
3. Nipple changes
It is important to look out for changes in nipple shape, discharge, and inversion, as this provides a crucial clue about your health. Abnormal discharge and an inward inversion of the nipple can be indicative of infection, hormonal imbalance, or breast cancer.
Nipple sensitivity or pain can occur naturally during ovulation and breastfeeding. However, severe or localised pain may be caused by hormonal changes, skin conditions, or other underlying health conditions, and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
4. Presence of lumps
It is recommended that every woman performs a breast self-examination (BSE) regularly to check for any changes in her breast tissue and determine if a lump is present. These lumps often feel smooth and movable under the skin.
Breast lumps may either be non-cancerous or cancerous. Non-cancerous lumps, often caused by hormonal fluctuations, are generally not an issue of concern and do not require treatments.
Cancerous breast lumps usually present as hard, irregular masses that do not move when pushed. They often indicate a potential malignancy that requires medical attention.
While most breast lumps are non-cancerous, it is important to seek a medical evaluation if you notice any new lump in your breast.
5. Presence of pain and tenderness
Women experience breast pain and tenderness at some point in their lives, which may be a source of discomfort. This occurrence can either be cyclical, often linked to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, or sporadic.
Persistent and severe breast pain that doesn’t correlate with your menstrual cycle may be indicative of a medical condition, such as mastitis, inflammatory breast cancer, hormonal dysfunction, and injury to the chest wall.
A large breast size and hormonal medications may contribute to breast tenderness. However, if you experience consistent, irregular breast pain and tenderness, you must consult a healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatments for this.
Final thoughts
Your breasts are more than just a physical part of your body; they reflect your overall health.
From slight changes in size and skin texture to complex patterns of lumps and discomfort, your breast sends vital information about your health that should not go unheeded.
Through regular self-examinations and being attentive to changes in the breast, you can decode what your breast says about your overall health and well-being.
Think of it this way: early diagnosis and proactive management are essential to ensuring the best breast health I the long run.
