Should we be worried about breast cysts? Let's find out for sure!

Have you ever felt a small lump in your breast while taking a shower or changing clothes? The first thing that comes to mind when you feel something like that is the fear, "Oh, is this cancer?" It's very normal to have that fear. But not every lump you feel is cancer. Most of the time, these are benign breast tumors, or what we call `(Breast Cysts)`. So let's talk about this today.

What exactly are Breast Cysts?

Simply put, a `Breast Cyst` is a small, fluid-filled sac that forms inside your breast. Think of it like a small ball of water. These are fluid-filled sacs that form in one of the milk ducts in your breast. Most importantly, they are not cancerous (benign) .

Some cysts are so small that we can't even feel them. But some can grow up to several inches in size. In that case, you can feel them very well, and sometimes they can be a little uncomfortable. Some women can have several of these cysts in one or both breasts, forming a cluster.

Who can grow these the most?

Although this condition can occur in women of any age, the following are generally at higher risk:

• For women between the ages of 35 and 50 .
• For women who are still menstruating (Premenopausal).
• Postmenopausal women who are taking hormone therapy (HRT).

Are there any varieties of these nuts?

Yes, doctors divide these into three main types. Your doctor will do an ultrasound scan to tell you exactly what type it is. This classification is important to understand whether it has a risk of cancer or not.

In addition, these cysts are classified according to their size as ``Microcysts'' (very small, visible only with an ``Ultrasound'') and ``Macrocysts'' (large enough to be held in the hand).

What are the symptoms of a breast cyst?

If you have a large cyst, you may experience symptoms like:

• A lump that can be felt in the hand. This can be soft or slightly hard , but most of the time it is soft.
• The lump is usually round and smooth . The edges are clearly felt.
• You may feel breast pain or tenderness, especially a few days before your period .
• The lump may feel a little bigger before your period starts, and smaller after your period.
• Large tumors have the ability to move around under the skin .

Some women may experience a discharge from the breast or pain in some area.

Why do tumors like this form?

The exact cause of this condition is not yet known, but experts believe that changes in the body's natural hormone levels (especially estrogen) may be responsible. As hormone levels decrease after menopause, the growth of these cysts often decreases.

Doctor, how do you know if this is a breast cyst?

When you go to see a doctor about a lump, he or she may follow these steps:

1. Physical examination: First, the doctor will physically examine your breast to get an idea of ​​the nature, hardness, and location of the lump.

2. Ultrasound Scan: This is the most important test. It is painless. With this scan, the doctor can clearly see whether the lump is filled with fluid (i.e. a cyst) or solid.

3. Mammogram: If you are over 30 or it is time for you to have a mammogram, your doctor may also recommend it.

Removing fluid with a needle (Aspiration)

Sometimes, if the doctor is sure of the cyst seen on the ultrasound, he or she may insert a small needle into the cyst and suck out the fluid inside. As the fluid is sucked out, the cyst disappears. This process is called aspiration.

Do I need to treat this?

In most cases, no treatment is needed. Since `simple breast cysts` do not cause any harm and sometimes go away on their own, your doctor may just tell you to wait.

However, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to the cyst, your doctor may use a needle to remove the fluid (aspiration). However, sometimes the fluid can build up again. Only if the cyst continues to fill up and is causing pain, may surgery be necessary to remove the cyst in very rare cases.

Is there a link between breast cysts and breast cancer?

This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. The answer is clear.

Only the `Complex` type of cysts that we talked about earlier are at risk. That's why doctors do a `Biopsy` to confirm it if they see something like that. So if the doctor tells you that you have a `Simple cyst`, don't be afraid of it at all.

So what should I do?

We can't prevent the formation of `Breast Cysts`, but there are things you can do to take care of the health of your breasts.

• Perform regular breast self-exams: Examine your breasts at least once a month and check for any new lumps or changes.
• See a doctor if you notice a change: This is the most important thing. If you notice any new lump, skin change, or pain in your breast, don't just assume, "This might just be a tumor." Definitely see your doctor and get it checked out. He or she is the one who can determine if it's a cyst or something else.

Breast cysts, breast lumps, breast cancer, women's health, mammogram, ultrasound scan