Healthy Her | Breast Health

Understanding Your Breasts

As women develop through adolescence into adulthood, so do their breasts. For women, understanding your breasts–and knowing abnormalities to watch for–is a vital part of maintaining your health as you age.

• Breast self-awareness: Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel to help detect breast cancer symptoms like lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern.

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and are composed of different types of tissue. Each breast has 15 to 20 lobes (glandular tissue). These lobes contain the glands that produce breast milk and the ducts that deliver the milk to the nipple. Fatty and fibrous tissue around the lobes gives breasts their size and shape. Breasts also have blood vessels, lymph glands, and nerves. It can also be common for breasts to be lumpy or have non-cancerous (benign) nodules.

Many instances can cause changes in breast tissue. Hormonal changes related to your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can change the look and feel of your breasts. For some women, breast tissue may be tender and lumpy just before your period. For women approaching menopause, lower levels of estrogen may affect your breast tissue and cause discomfort. Additionally, after menopause, the breasts’ glandular tissue is primarily replaced by fatty tissue, and breasts may feel softer.

As your body changes, you should take note of any changes in your breasts and talk with your healthcare provider to ensure you are taking steps for early detection of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer - Early Detection Matters

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the world. If breast cancer is detected early, when it’s small and has not spread, it is easier to treat successfully. The most successful way to detect breast cancer is a mammogram.

Dr. Bryan Jordan, radiologist with Alabama Coastal Radiology and Breast Imaging Director at Infirmary Health, states, “Patients should have an annual screening mammogram no later than 40 years old. Although some patients may need to start screening sooner if they have been identified as high risk for breast cancer.”

According to the Society of Breast Imagers and American College of Radiology, annual screening mammograms result in 30-40% fewer deaths due to breast cancer among women than those who do not undergo screening. Depending on your risk factor and breast density, your provider may offer other screening methods beyond a mammogram.

• Screening Mammogram: A 3D mammogram, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), takes multiple images of the breast to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. This allows the radiologist, the doctor who reviews the images for breast cancer, to view the breast tissue in layers, improving their ability to accurately diagnose breast cancer.
• Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A breast MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast. Breast MRI is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for breast cancer. Because breast MRIs may appear abnormal even when there is no cancer, they are not used for women at average risk.
• Whole Breast Ultrasound (ABUS): The Invenia ABUS 2.0 is an FDA-approved mammography system available for women with dense breasts to ensure their breasts are appropriately screened. Instead of using radiation, this state-of-the-art technology uses sound waves to screen the entire breast.

Infirmary Health’s breast centers offer full-service breast screening techniques, including 3D mammograms, Breast MRIs, ABUS, breast biopsies, breast ultrasounds, cyst aspirations, and more. Our breast centers are accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and designated as comprehensive breast imaging centers by the American College of Radiology.

To schedule an appointment at one of our award-winning breast and imaging centers, please call 251-435-2255.

https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/services/womens-health/breast-health-women-s-imaging/

For more resources on breast health, check out: https://knowyourgirls.org/.

Infirmary Health’s Healthy Her Blog series provides information on various health topics for women at all stages of life. Subscribe to our email newsletter for more information about upcoming events and ways to connect.