Scientific Understanding of Breast Nodules

The most common clinical symptom of breast cancer is breast nodules. Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, and its incidence rate is increasing year by year. Through proper self-examination, breast cancer can be detected, diagnosed, and treated early, which can greatly improve the survival time of breast cancer patients.

With the rapid changes in society, women have completely broken free from the constraints of traditional moral concepts and have taken on more social roles. As a result, the pressure of life and work has been increasing. While loving family, children, and work, women should first take better care of themselves. Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, and its incidence rate is increasing year by year. It is the second most common cancer in the world after lung cancer, accounting for 11.5% of the total cancer incidence in 2022[1]. However, through proper self-examination, breast tumors can be detected, diagnosed, and treated early. So, does the discovery of breast nodules necessarily mean a tumor? Today, let's talk about breast nodules.

I. What are breast nodules?

Breast nodules are not a disease in themselves, but rather a manifestation of various breast diseases. More precisely, they are one of the symptoms of breast diseases and represent morphological changes in breast tissue. Many breast diseases can cause breast nodules, including: breast hyperplasia, adenosis, inflammatory lesions, cysts, benign tumors (fibroadenomas, phyllodes tumors, etc.), and malignant tumors (invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, etc.).

II. How to detect breast nodules?

How can we tell if we have breast nodules? It's simple. In daily life, such as when showering or before going to sleep, habitually touch your breasts. Breasts that are not breastfeeding are soft because they are mostly filled with fatty tissue. If you feel hard lumps, you should be alert to the possibility of breast nodules. Don't panic if you find a breast nodule. The texture of the nodule can help determine its nature: smooth, movable, and tender nodules are mostly benign; while hard, fixed, and adherent to surrounding tissues should be taken seriously, and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent malignancy. Of course, once a breast nodule is discovered, regardless of its nature, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for a definitive diagnosis, especially for women over 40.

III. Treatment of Breast Nodules

The treatment methods for breast nodules vary greatly depending on their nature. Inflammatory lesions can be treated with antibiotics or traditional Chinese medicine, with surgical intervention if necessary. Cysts or benign tumors can be monitored, and surgical treatment may be considered if psychological or physical discomfort arises. If malignancy is suspected, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be performed to determine the nature of the lesion pathologically. If malignancy is confirmed, hospitalization should be initiated as soon as possible.