Breast Health Through Different Life Stages
When it comes to breast health, the key is awareness. Breasts come in all shapes and forms, and what’s normal for one individual might be a warning sign for another. Our breasts change through different phases of our lives based on the communication of our hormones and other factors like age, genetics, and some medications.
Understanding what’s normal for you, what to look out for, and what steps to take if you have concerns about your breast health will deepen your relationship with your body and empower you to be more proactive with your health.
Breast development and anatomy
Breast development happens at different stages of life, starting in the womb, then again through puberty, later in the childbearing years and once again during menopause. A female baby in utero begins developing the mammary ridge (or milk line) of the breast. By the time she’s born, nipples and beginnings of the milk duct system have formed. As she grows, the next parts to develop are the lobes (consisting of small groups of breast tissue) followed by the mammary glands. Around the age of 35, the milk ducts begin to shrink, signalling the final major change in breast tissue.
Breast development happens at different stages of life, starting in the womb, then again through puberty, later in the childbearing years and once again during menopause. A female baby in utero begins developing the mammary ridge (or milk line) of the breast. By the time she’s born, nipples and beginnings of the milk duct system have formed. As she grows, the next parts to develop are the lobes (consisting of small groups of breast tissue) followed by the mammary glands. Around the age of 35, the milk ducts begin to shrink, signalling the final major change in breast tissue.
The menstrual cycle also causes normal, cyclical changes to the texture of the breasts. Estrogen levels increase through the follicular phase (or first part) of the menstrual cycle and stimulate growth of the milk ducts. Following ovulation in the luteal phase (the latter half) of the cycle, progesterone rises and stimulates the formation of milk glands. These changes happen as a result of the body preparing for possible pregnancy and can cause the breasts to feel more lumpy than usual. When pregnancy doesn’t occur, the breasts resume their normal size and texture.
Another time of change is during pregnancy. As the breasts prepare for the birth of baby, you might feel tingling sensations, tenderness and swelling. The areolas become larger and darker and might develop small bumps, and veins may become more visible on the skin. The milk duct system is growing and forming many new lobules, and milk production becomes possible around the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. Around this time (but possibly not until baby is born), you might notice some yellowish discharge called colostrum. This is essentially the pre-milk that plays an important role in the development of baby’s immune system (it’s nutrient dense, high in protein, and full of white blood cells that produce antibodies).
Perimenopause and menopause also cause hormonal changes that effect the appearance of the breasts. The decline in estrogen and progesterone signal the body to no longer prepare for pregnancy, which causes the breast tissue to shrink and lose shape.
Potentially abnormal changes
Experiencing breast changes outside of these normal developmental phases does not automatically point to a problem; however, it’s best to check in with your medical provider if you notice any of the following changes:
A lump or thick/firm tissue in (or near) the breast or underarm
A change in the shape or size of your breast
Nipple discharge (unrelated to breast milk) or nipple changes
Changes to the skin like redness, itching, dimples or puckers on the breast
Breast lumps are not always cancerous - in fact, most aren’t. Some breasts naturally feel quite dense or lumpy - always check both breasts and compare the way they feel to one another. Nipple discharge also isn’t necessarily a sure sign of cancer; medications, infection and the birth control pill can all be causes of nipple discharge.
Benign (non-cancerous) breast changes
There are a number of breast changes that are not related to cancer (and do not increase the risk of breast cancer):
Cysts - fluid-filled lumps
Adenosis - small, round lumps
Fat necrosis - round, firm lumps
Fibroadenomas - hard, round lumps that may move around easily
Intraductal papilloma - a wart-like growth in a milk duct, usually close to the nipple
Any changes you suspect may be abnormal should always be brought to a health care professional, as there are a number of diagnostic methods that can help determine whether these changes are cause for concern. That being said, regular self breast exams are crucial to becoming familiar with the shape, size and changes to your breasts so you have a better sense of your own normal.
How to perform a breast self-exam
Start with a visual assessment, using a mirror to look at the shape, size and colour of your breasts, as well as any signs of fluid from the nipples. Then lift up your arms to look for changes around the sides of the breasts and underarms.
It’s typically best to lie down while checking for lumps or abnormalities. Use your right hand to check your left breast, and your left hand to check your right breast. Keep the first three fingers of each hand together and flat and apply gentle pressure with your fingertips in a circular motion about an inch in size. Make sure to cover the entire breast, creating a pattern that’s easy for you to follow.
It’s important to check the deeper tissue of the breast all the way through to the more superficial layers by using different degrees of pressure. You might prefer to do your breast exam in the shower, which is totally fine; just be thorough and mindful with any method you choose.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing more about breast health, self care and monitoring from an Ayurvedic perspective. Make sure to sign up for my biweekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss part 2!