Benign tumors are less spoken of than malignant tumors; hence, they are not the first thought on women’s minds when they learn that they have a lump in their breast.
The most common benign breast tumor is called a fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas commonly occur in young women who are between the ages of 15 and 35, but they may occur in older or younger women as well. The cause of fibroadenomas is unknown, but the believed cause is fluctuations in reproductive hormones. The signs and symptoms can be felt or seen on imaging tests.
A fibroadenoma is a solid lump that is round with smooth edges. It can also feel elastic or firm. According to the mayo clinic, many women report it feeling “like a marble under the breast.” It typically does not produce pain and can easily be moved under the skin when examined.
1. Self-Monitor
Women are recommended to start self-monitoring themselves by doing breast self-exams, starting at twenty-years old. A breast self-exam is the most common and easiest way to find the signs and symptoms of a fibroadenoma. done by placing a pillow under the shoulder near the breast that is being examined. The arm that is near the breast that is being examined should be placed behind the head.
After getting in the right position, the woman should use the hand that is on the opposite side of her body to feel around her entire breast and armpit area. She should use small circular motions and apply light, moderate, and firm pressure. She should also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge or bumps. If she notices an unusual lump, she should wait until her next period. If the lump is not gone after her next period, she should consult her physician. Women should perform self-exams once a month after getting their period. Women should also casually feel around their breast to get a feel of what it typically feels like.
2. Supportive Care
If a woman believes she has a fibroadenoma, she may be scared of the possibility that it is not merely a fibroadenoma and is indeed a malignant tumor. The ambivalent time before getting tested and finding out the test results is scary and can even be depressing. If there is no mental health, there is no health at all. It is vital for women to receive support from genuine friends, close acquaintances, and immediate family to help her get through that time. If the support from the people around them is not alleviating the stress or they have no supportive people in their life, counseling and support groups are available.
3. Breast Surgery
The only method to getting a conclusive answer about whether a breast lump is indeed a fibroadenoma is getting surgery to retrieve the tissue for laboratory testing. This type of surgery is called a biopsy. There are two different biopsy methods that are used for breast lumps. The fine-needle aspiration consists of poking a fine needle through the breast to retrieve the contents of the lump. If fluid is withdrawn into the needle, the lump is most likely a benign cyst.
The core-needle biopsy is done via ultrasound guidance and a different type of needle to collect tissue samples for laboratory testing. If it is ruled that the lump is a fibroadenoma, the woman will be advised to keep self-monitoring it for any changes. If the fibroadenoma is interfering with the woman’s health or desired aesthetic effects, surgery can be done to make it less prominent.
4. Primary Care Provider
A primary care provider is either an MD or DO, which means they are either an allopathic doctor or osteopathic doctor. There is very little to no difference between the treatment women can obtain from them. The only difference between an MD and DO is their degree title and their training. Allopathic doctors are more educated in general areas and have some training in alternative medicine. Osteopathic doctors may be educated in a more specialized area and were taught to diagnose and treat using a hands-on approach. If a woman believes she has a fibroadenoma, she can consult her primary care provider. However, because her primary care provider is not a specialist, he or she cannot be the one to work with her throughout the process. He or she would give her a referrals for an OBGYN.
5. General Surgeon
General surgeons possess knowledge in a wide variety of areas. These areas include the alimentary tract, abdomen, endocrine system, trauma, critical care, oncology, breasts, skin, and other soft tissue. General surgeons can perform surgeries pertaining to each of those areas. If a woman believes she may have a fibroadenoma, her health care provider may have her get a mammogram and/or ultrasound first. After finding the lump on the mammogram and/or ultrasound, her doctor may want her to get a biopsy to find out the nature of her lump. The general surgeon will be the one to perform the biopsy to determine if her lump really is a fibroadenoma.
6. OBGYN Doctor
An obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and women’s sexual and reproductive health. A woman should start seeing an OBGYN once she starts menstruating, but many women start seeing an OBGYN once they become sexually active and/or once they reach adulthood. An OBGYN can teach her give herself self-exams if she is having any difficulty. If a woman feels a lump in her breast, she should see an OBGYN. The OBGYN will examine her and refer her for further testing.
