At some point in life, some women can experience a breast cyst. A type of noncancerous disease that happens in breasts. Although it is more common among women between the ages of 30 and 50, it can occur at any age. So, knowing some pieces of information and raising awareness about breast cysts can lower the risk of getting it or help you in its diagnosis. Let’s learn a few things about breast cysts.
About Breast Cyst
Imagine a tiny balloon filled with liquid forming inside the breast tissue. Breast cysts are very similar to these balloons. Fluid-filled sacs inside the breast are called breast cysts. They are relatively small sacs and are common among women, especially women who are in their 30s or 40s or those who are close to menopause.
About Breast Cyst
Of course, they can happen at any age and are mainly linked to hormonal changes. That is why they might feel more noticeable around the time of period. Some breast cysts can also grow up to several inches, causing discomfort and even pain in some women.
Types of Breast Cysts
In general, there are three types of breast cysts, and each one is different compared to another. Types of breast cysts can be defined as Simple Breast Cysts, Complex Breast Cysts, and Complicated Breast Cysts.
Simple breast cysts are filled only with fluid and are noncancerous, while complex breast cysts are filled with a mix of fluid and solid components and can lead to breast cancer in 23 percent of cases.
In simple breast cysts, the cyst wall is usually smooth, and most breast cyst cases are diagnosed as simple breast cysts. On the other hand, complicated breast cysts are filled with fluid also. Hence, they can have cloudiness to the fluid or can have irregular symptoms inside the breast. However, in complicated breast cyst cases, the chance of getting cancer is relatively low.
Breast Cyst Symptoms
Breast Cyst symptoms are a bit tricky. In other words, some cysts are so small that many people don’t feel them and have no symptoms regarding breast cysts. However, women who have larger breast cysts may experience a lump inside their breasts.
The lump may be soft in most cases and is usually round and smooth with distinct edges. It can also be movable. Moreover, breast cysts can cause pain or tenderness, especially if they have a larger size. This symptom can be more noticeable before the period during the hormonal changes. Nipple discharge and swelling or feeling of heaviness are also rare breast cyst symptoms.
Breast Cyst Causes
The main cause of breast cysts is yet unknown and there aren’t any specific reasons to understand why they form. Hence, research shows that they are very closely tied to hormonal changes in the body.
Breast Cyst Causes
For example, natural hormonal fluctuations may cause them to form inside the breast tissue. Other experts also believe that breast cysts are a part of the life cycle of breasts, since it is more common in women between the ages of 35 and 50.
How to Diagnose Breast Cyst?
Breast cysts aren’t life-threatening, and there shouldn’t be room to worry. But the real question is how to diagnose them and notice if we have them or not. Breast cysts are usually found during routine mammograms that screen for breast cancer.
You can also identify them by yourself if you’ve ever felt a large movable lump inside of your breast. Other ways to diagnose breast cysts include taking a physical exam by a good healthcare provider. Otherwise, you can use an ultrasound test to show any lump and its kind (fluid or solid).
Another method used in the diagnosis process is biopsy and breast cyst aspiration, which means taking a sample of tissue and using a needle to draw out some of the formed fluids from the breast cysts.
Breast Cyst Treatment
Usually, breast cysts go away by themselves and need no treatment in most cases. But if breast cysts have become larger and cause discomfort for you, the first step is to consult with a healthcare provider.
They can use a needle to drain the fluid, but the fluid can also come back again, leading to discomfort. Another option is surgery to remove it completely. But in most cases, simple breast cysts go away on their own, so if it doesn’t cause pain, you won’t need any complicated treatment option.
Breast Cyst Risk Factors
Breast cysts are considered natural hormonal fluctuations, and finding the main reasons that can increase the chance of getting it is hard. Breast cysts are usually found among women between 35 and 50 years old who are approaching menopause.
Breast Cyst Risk Factors
In some cases, hormone therapy such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal can cause large breast cysts. Overall, many doctors and scientists believe that breast cysts are a part of the breast’s life cycle. So, there aren’t any accurate risk factors for breast cysts.
How to Prevent Breast Cyst?
Some activities in life can help you avoid getting breast cysts at a young age or at least get simple breast cysts with smaller sacs. The most important thing to do is maintain a healthy weight and have a balanced diet. It can affect your whole life and improve your body system, especially by consuming vitamin E and vitamin A.
Limiting caffeine and salt intake is also essential to prevent breast cysts. Also, always practice regular breast self-examination to know more about your health condition. Lastly, being cautious with herbal cosmetics and avoiding smoking are also helpful.
Breast Cyst vs Cancer
Breast cyst and Breast Cancer are two different categories. Breast Cyst involves fluid-filled sacs forming in the breast tissue, while breast cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. Their symptoms are also a little bit different.
Moreover, many people with breast cysts think that the chances of getting breast cancer are higher for them. Although it can be, it isn’t completely true. The chances of getting breast cancer after a breast cyst are very low, and it only happens in complicated breast cysts (less than 2 percent) and complex breast cysts (17 percent). So, in general, they cannot increase your chance of getting breast cancer, and it is very rare.
Quick Facts about Breast Cyst
- Breast cysts are normal among women between the ages of 35 and 50.
- Generally speaking, there are three types of breast cysts: simple breast cysts, complicated breast cysts, and complex breast cysts, which are the rarest.
- Mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs are the best options to diagnose breast cysts or breast cancer.
- The common symptom of breast cysts is a round or oval lump under the skin, which is movable and causes tenderness sometimes.
- A removed breast cyst (by fine-needle aspiration or surgery) can shrink, and its lump can disappear after a time, but interestingly, it can also come back again.
How to Prevent Breast Cyst?
Is It Serious?
Well, since breast cysts are common and don’t lead to any kind of breast cancer or a tumor, you shouldn’t be worried about this problem. Also, if you are lucky, your breast cysts can go away on their own, but it is best to consult with a doctor and learn more about the breast cysts.
Lastly
Breast cysts can cause discomfort and frustration for women. They can be worrisome and make you uncomfortable in your daily routine. But they are usually harmless compared to other common diseases. They are a part of the life stage. So, keeping up with regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the keys to staying healthy. If you’ve ever experienced breast pain and something feels off, make sure to check in with your doctor to be safe and prevent any severe stage of the disease.
