Many women, upon receiving a breast ultrasound report and seeing the words "hyperplasia, nodules", will unconsciously let out a sigh of relief: "It's okay, it's just hyperplasia, no need to worry."
In most people's perception, breast hyperplasia is a minor issue, while breast cancer is a serious illness, and the two have no relationship.
However, in clinical practice, we have seen too many regrettable cases: signals of early breast cancer were mistakenly treated as ordinary breast hyperplasia and only diagnosed at a late stage.
What is the difference between breast hyperplasia and breast cancer?
Many people cannot distinguish between the two, essentially because they do not understand their respective disease characteristics:
Breast hyperplasia: It is strongly related to menstruation, emotions, staying up late, and endocrine fluctuations. The pain often intensifies before menstruation and eases after menstruation. The lump tends to be soft in texture and has a blurred boundary. Generally, discomfort occurs in both breasts, which is a physiological and benign change.
Breast cancer: It is a malignant lesion of the breast. In its early stages, it often presents no symptoms and irregular menstrual periods. The lump is hard and immobile, often occurring on one side. It progresses silently and continues to worsen.
In a nutshell: Most changes associated with menstruation are due to hyperplasia. If symptoms persist and worsen, one must be vigilant against potential cancerization.
Warning: Don't mistake these 6 symptoms for hyperplasia!
The following six abnormalities are typical early signs of breast cancer, which is highly prevalent. If any of these symptoms occur, do not delay or try to self-diagnose and bear with it. Instead, seek breast ultrasound and mammography screening promptly.
1. A painless lump that feels hard and immovable when touched
This is the most typical and common initial symptom of breast cancer, and also the signal that is most easily overlooked.
Common proliferative lump: Soft and elastic, enlarges and becomes painful before menstruation, softens and shrinks after menstruation, and can be slightly pushed.
Cancerous lump: It is painless, hard and solid, resembling a stone, with an indistinct boundary. It is fixed within the breast and cannot be moved, and it does not change with the menstrual cycle. It will gradually increase in size.
Many women choose to ignore "painless and indifferent" lumps, not realizing that painless lumps are more dangerous than painful ones.
2. Abnormalities of breast skin: peau d'orange, indentation, redness and swelling
Changes in breast skin are an important sign that breast lesions have invaded the subcutaneous tissue and lymphatic vessels. Ordinary hyperplasia does not alter the skin's condition.
If you notice any changes in the breast skin:
Localized skin indentation, resembling small dimples (dimple sign)
The skin has large pores, uneven texture, and resembles orange peel (orange peel syndrome)
Local inexplicable redness, swelling, and thickening that persist despite prolonged treatment
Don't mistake it for a skin problem. It is highly likely to be an external manifestation of internal breast lesions, and immediate medical examination is necessary.
3. Unexplained nipple discharge, especially bloody fluid
A small amount of milk-like discharge during menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation is a normal phenomenon, and ordinary hyperplasia generally does not result in discharge.
If you are not lactating or pregnant, and spontaneous fluid discharge occurs from one nipple, especially:
Dark red and coffee-colored bloody discharge
Clear, pale yellow persistent discharge
It is an important sign of breast ductal lesions and early breast cancer. The risk of canceration is highest in bloody discharge, so it should not be ignored.
4. Unexplained deformation, retraction, and ulceration of nipple and areola
Many women are born with inverted nipples, which is nothing to worry about. However, if there is a sudden change in the nipple shape later on, it is important to be highly vigilant.
When breast tumors pull on nipple tissue, the following symptoms may occur:
Sudden indentation, deviation, and deflection of one nipple
The skin of the areola is peeling, itchy, repeatedly ulcerating, and has not healed after prolonged treatment
The size and shape of the nipples are significantly asymmetric on both sides
This change will not resolve on its own, and the longer it is delayed, the higher the risk of disease progression.
5. Swelling and lump in axillary lymph nodes
Breast hyperplasia does not cause axillary lymph node enlargement, while early breast cancer is prone to axillary lymph node metastasis.
If you feel a hard, painless, immobile lump under your arm, which is multiple on one side and continues to grow, without any signs of colds or inflammation, it is important to seek timely screening.
Many times, when breast lumps are not obvious, axillary lymph node enlargement serves as the earliest warning sign.
6. Local asymmetry, inexplicable thickening, and persistent pain in the breast
Slight asymmetry between both breasts is considered normal. However, if one breast experiences unexplained thickening, swelling, or hardening in a short period of time, or if persistent dull or sharp pain occurs that does not subside with the end of menstruation and even worsens, and there is no improvement after excluding factors such as fatigue and emotional stress, one should be cautious about the possibility of malignant breast lesions.
Myth-busting: These breast misconceptions have harmed many women
Misconception 1: Breast hyperplasia will inevitably lead to canceration
Wrong! The vast majority of simple breast hyperplasia is physiological, and can be alleviated by adjusting daily routines and emotions. The probability of canceration is extremely low, so there is no need for excessive anxiety.
Misconception 2: Breast pain equates to cancer
Wrong! Early-stage cancer often presents no pain, while persistent pain is often caused by hyperplasia or inflammation. There is no need to panic, but regular check-ups are necessary.
Misconception 3: Without a lump, there is no breast cancer
Wrong! Some early breast cancers only manifest as abnormalities in the skin, nipples, and lymph nodes, without obvious lumps. It is impossible to diagnose solely based on breast palpation.
Doctor's advice: For women of different ages, keep the screening criteria in mind
20-35 years old: one breast ultrasound examination per year
35-40 years old: one ultrasound examination per year, and one mammography every two years
Individuals aged 40 and above, who belong to high-risk groups: undergo combined screening with color Doppler ultrasound and mammography once a year
(High-risk groups: those with a family history of breast cancer, long-term endocrine disorders, tendency to get angry after staying up late, and those with higher nodule grades)