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I’m trying to get into the habit of regularly checking my boobs and being more aware of any changes that might take place but every little bump and discharge sends me into a tizzy. Can you tell me what is normal so I don’t freak out every time? –Emily, 20 |
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Wednesday, 06 January 2010 13:33 |
 | When you’re new to breast self-familiarisation (BSF) it’s easy to become paranoid with every bump you may feel because your fingers are not yet familiar with what the different types of bumps are supposed to feel like. To help you out, here are some facts about what’s normal: | - You’d notice that there are whitish bumps around your nipples that are actually visible parts of your oil glands. On some women, they appear like goose bumps around the areolae, while on others they are less noticeable. These glands help maintain your nipples’ suppleness and prevent them from drying out. And if you see white fluid coming out when you squeeze the glands, don’t worry, it’s just excess oil.
- Likewise, it is also common to have some liquid oozing out when you squeeze your nipples. As long as the liquid is yellowish, greenish or milky and discharged only when squeezed, you have nothing to be concerned about. However, if the discharge is blood-stained or clear, do consult a doctor as it could be a sign that something is wrong.
- Depending on your genetic make-up, some women might have more hair around their boobs and areolae than others. If they bother you, just pluck them out at the base in one swift motion with a pair of tweezers.
- If your nipples start to “pull back” and become inverted, it can be an early sign of breast cancer (unless you’re born with inverted nipples). You will need to consult a doctor and go for further tests to ascertain the cause.
- Having some of the most sensitive skin on your body, your nipples might get dry and flaky sometimes due to contact with detergent, soap or even bras made with synthetic fabric. To help them heal, moisturise well every day after showering, preferably with non-perfumed lotions.
- If you experience weight gain or pregnancy, there may be reddish or white streaks of stretch marks resulting from it. This is normal but the bad news is, the longer you have these stretch marks, the lower chance of them fading.
- Sometimes during your BSF, you might feel firm, smooth and rubbery bumps that move around. Don’t panic! These are just non-cancerous tumours called fibroadenomas often found in younger women. They may also feel tender right before your period, as they swell due to hormonal changes. However, if they start to change or grow, you may need to consult a doctor and have them removed with a simple operation.
- More common in women aged 30 to 35, cysts are benign fluid filled sacs that are occasionally associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). They will feel squishy and smooth, kind of like a water balloon. They might hurt f they are large and pressing against certain tender areas. The fluid in cysts can be removed with a fine a needle syringe.
Do remember that hormonal changes due to our age and other influences such as contraceptives can make breast tissue feel more tender, lumpy or thick during certain periods of your cycle. So continue doing regular BSF and if you suspect anything amiss, consult your doctor. |
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