Breast lumps and surgery
Known causative factors
5-10% of
breast cancers are believed to involve a hereditary factor. Women with no children or late first
pregnancies (aged 30 years+) are more likely to develop breast cancer. Risk increases with early onset of
menstruation and late menopause. Exposure to significant doses of radiation increases
breast cancer incidence. Most of the factors affecting breast cancer development are still unknown.
Breast lumps
A
lump or thickening in the breast or armpit tissue is the first symptom in 80-90% of breast cancers. Other symptoms include dimpling or flaking
skin, nipple discharge or bleeding, pain in the breast, change in breast size or shape, or any new difference in appearance or feel of the breast. If any of these symptoms are found medical advice should be sought. Only about 1 in 9
breast lumps seen by a breast cancer specialist will prove to be cancerous. For every 9 women with cancerous lumps, 5 or 6 can be treated initially without removal of the breast.
Mammographic screening
Mammograms are simply X-rays of the breast. They are most successful in detecting
breast cancer in women over 50 years. Breast tissue of younger women is usually too dense to allow
cancers to be seen. Currently all women aged 50-64 years are offered a 3-yearly mammograph. Women aged over 64 years are also entitled to screening, but must request it.
Surgery
Conservative
surgery removing only the
lump or segment of breast is now offered to up to two thirds of women with one small tumour. If the tumour is too big or has spread too far mastectomy is more suitable. Also some women choose
mastectomy because it brings them greater peace of mind. Surgery is often followed up by adjuvant therapy to kill stray
cancer cells. Every woman who has a mastectomy is entitled to a suitable breast prosthesis on the NHS.
