Any suspicious mass, generally one that is firm and unable to be aspirated, should be examined by a qualified physician. If a thickening of the breast tissue is noticed, your physician may choose to follow its presence over several menstrual cycles before deciding whether biopsy or lump removal is recommended. It is often found that some women are helped by altering their diets and avoiding things with caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate and some colas. Non-prescription pain relievers are beneficial to decrease pain and inflammation. If your breasts do not improve over time, be sure to talk to your doctor and continue with monthly breast self-exams.
Early detection is the best defense in the treatment of breast disease.
Until recent years, metastatic breast cancer was determined by removing a significant sampling of lymph nodes from the axillary area of the underarm. This procedure helps the surgeon determine the extent of the disease and if the cancer had invaded lymph nodes in the axilla. Until recently this was the only surgical procedure considered to be the definitive way to stage breast cancer and help physicians determine the appropriate course for adjuvant treatment. Some doctors are now offering patients an option. The sentinel lymph node dissection is a high-tech surgical procedure used in detection of metastatic disease for breast cancer patients.