Breast disease and pregnancy

The female mammary gland is a paired organ that secretes milk for feeding the baby. It consists of 15-20 glandular lobes, resembling a bunch of grapes. Each of them consists of 30-80 lobes. Breast milk, produced in the lobes, enters the excretory ducts (milk ducts), ending in the nipple of the gland with pinpoint openings.

The mammary glands grow and develop under the influence of hormones secreted by the endocrine glands. They reach their maximum development by the time of birth and during the period of breastfeeding. During the climacteric period, the reverse development of the mammary gland lobules begins.

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Mastitis and pregnancy

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, usually occurring in nursing mothers. It is caused by bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci), which enter the mammary gland through cracks in the nipples or damaged skin of the mammary gland.

Symptoms of mastitis: the mammary gland becomes dense, tight, sharply painful, hot to the touch; body temperature rises, chills appear.

If signs of mastitis occur, you should call a doctor, as treatment requires antibiotics to prevent a breast abscess (formation of an abscess).

Bed rest and plenty of fluids are recommended. Breastfeeding is possible if there is no suppuration. If there is suppuration, you cannot feed from the healthy breast either. In this case, milk must be expressed and poured out.

You can apply an ice pack to the affected breast 3-6 times a day (wrap the ice pack in a napkin). It is recommended to apply a warm compress an hour before feeding.

Traditional medicine used for mastitis: if a lump appears in the mammary gland of a nursing woman, apply grated carrots, fresh cabbage leaves, or burdock.

Mastopathy and pregnancy

Mastopathy is a fibrocystic change in the mammary gland, a benign disease. It is quite common in young women, in the post-menopausal period about 20% of women suffer from this disease. It often disappears during menopause.

Tumor-like formations of different sizes are often located in both mammary glands, are hard to the touch, mobile, can be painful, usually increase in size before menstruation. Tumor-like formations can appear and disappear spontaneously.

The reasons for their appearance are unknown, but may be associated with a disruption in the secretion of estrogens and other sex hormones.

Symptoms may be absent, sometimes there is diffuse pain in the mammary glands, especially before menstruation, and serous discharge from the nipples.

To prevent mastopathy, try to avoid risk factors, especially if there are similar diseases in the family.

There are facts indicating the beneficial effects of vitamin E in preventing mastopathy.

Every woman should perform a breast self-examination approximately 7-10 days after menstruation, when the breasts are painless and not enlarged.

First, the mammary glands are examined in a mirror with lowered and then raised arms. During the examination, it is possible to detect retraction of the skin or nipple, areas of protrusion on the mammary gland, changes in skin color, uneven displacement of the mammary glands when raising the arms upward.

Then the mammary glands are palpated while lying on the back. All sections of each mammary gland and the armpit are palpated. It is recommended to place a pad under the shoulder blade on the side of the mammary gland being examined. Palpation can be done in circular movements - either up and down or radially.

If you notice a lump in the mammary gland, or if you notice indentations or protrusions on the skin of the mammary gland, you must consult a doctor.

Currently, it is believed that mastopathy does not require special treatment, it does not threaten health, although sometimes excision of large nodes is recommended. But regular monitoring by a gynecologist is necessary.

In nutrition, it is recommended to limit the amount of table salt, fats, fried foods, strong tea, coffee, soft drinks containing caffeine. Products rich in vitamins A, B and E are recommended.

Breast Cancer and Pregnancy

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor of the mammary gland. It most often occurs in women aged 45-55 years. The lesion most often occurs in the upper-outer part of the mammary gland. The right and left mammary glands are affected equally often. Metastasis initially occurs in the axillary, sub- and supraclavicular lymph nodes, and mediastinal lymph nodes. Distant hematogenous metastases most often occur in the lungs, pleura, liver, ovaries, and bones (especially the skull and spine).

For a long time, breast cancer may not give clinical manifestations. It is necessary to pay attention to the appearance of nipple or skin retraction on the mammary gland, or protrusion. When palpating the mammary glands, a seal may be found, tightly fused with the skin, slightly mobile. Sometimes bloody discharge from the nipple may appear. Later, pain appears, which gradually increases, and skin ulcers.

If breast cancer is detected at the early stages of the disease, the prognosis is favorable. Removal of the mammary gland (mastectomy) followed by radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy is indicated.

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Fibroadenoma and pregnancy

Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor of the mammary gland. It is quite common at a young age. Women aged 20-40 years get sick. It is a round node with clear boundaries, mobile. Rarely, it degenerates into mammary gland cancer.

There are no clinical manifestations. When palpating the mammary gland, a mobile node with clear contours and painlessness is determined.

Treatment is usually surgical - sectoral resection of the mammary gland (removal of fibroadenoma together with the surrounding tissue in a sector).

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