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Compliments of American Academy Of  Family Physicians

Breast Problems in Women

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Both men and women can experience breast problems. Lumps, pain, discharge or skin problems can signal both minor and more serious problems.


 

 

SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin here        
1. Do you have swelling and tenderness over the breast? No --> Go to Question 4.*    
Yes, go down        
2. Is the swelling and tenderness new? Yes --> You may be PREGNANT. --> Check an at-home pregnancy test. If it's positive, see your doctor.
No, go down        
3. Does the swelling and tenderness seem to occur at about the same time during your menstrual cycle? Yes --> This may be a result of HORMONAL CHANGES during your cycle. If you also have irritability, trouble sleeping and mood changes, you may have PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS). --> Use over-the-counter medicines to relieve the bloating and tenderness and avoid caffeine. Ibuprofen or naproxen may be helpful for painful periods.
*4. Do you feel a tender lump, smaller than a penny, that wasn't there last month? Yes --> This lump probably represents a noncancerous GROWTH or CYST. --> Carefully check this lump for a month and see your doctor if it doesn't go away.
No, go down        
5. Do you feel a painless lump that is deep in your breast, possibly attached to your ribs? Yes --> This may represent a more serious problem, such as BREAST CANCER. --> Make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
No, go down        
6. Do you have tender swelling of both breasts, or have you missed a period or are you having irregular periods? Yes --> Your problem may be related to hormones or pregnancy. You may also have FIBROCYSTIC disease in both breasts. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
7. Are you breast feeding and having pain and cracking of the nipple? Yes --> Persistent pain and cracking in the nipple with breast feeding could mean INFECTION. --> Try a soothing ointment from your pharmacist for the breast-feeding problem. See your doctor if it doesn't help.
No, go down        
8. Do you have a sore on your breast that doesn't heal? Yes --> A nonhealing sore on the breast could represent a serious problem. --> See your doctor to have it checked.
No, go down        
9. Do you have a painful swelling, redness or warmth in one breast? Yes --> These symptoms could represent an INFECTION of the breast or a BLOCKED MILK DUCT. --> If you're breast feeding, use heat and gently try to express your milk. See your doctor if the redness or tenderness is not helped.
No, go down        
For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.        

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians
 

 
 
 

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