 “Where do I begin?” Trying to perform a breast self exam without understanding the structure of the breast is like trying to read before you know the alphabet. Yet women have been told to do self breast exams without the basics for years. Let’s fix that now. Life Cycle of
the Female Breast
In adolescence, 9-15, the areola begins to enlarge and darken 5 and the firm bud of glandular tissue often raises initial concern. The budding tissue is firm, often painful, and may itch10 as the ovarian hormones stimulate the enlargement of the ducts and lobes, which push the breast outward from the chest wall.8,10  Your breasts were made for breast feeding. That means that technically your breasts are not fully mature until you have given birth and your body has produced milk.10Breast changes such as tenderness and nipple pain are often the first signs of pregnancy. Other signs of pregnancy include rapid breast enlargement accompanied by increased firmness. In addition, nipples and areolas enlarge, darken, and become more erect. There is also an increased prominence of Montgomery’s glands on the areolas.10 Most lumps and bumps felt in the breasts of a pregnant or breastfeeding (lactating) woman are related to lactation. Cancers, however can develop at any time. Therefore, any suspicious lump or change needs to be evaluated.
As the hormone levels slowly drop, glandular structures regress, cysts may form, more fat is deposited in the breasts and they begin to sag.5,10 In simple language, your breasts retire. You are no longer in the baby making business so there is no reason to keep the dairy open.10 Somewhere around 70, you reach the zero extrogen point and glandular breast tissue is just a memory. This is upsetting to some women as they feel that their appearance does not fit the youthful “perkiness” that is worshipped by society. For the early detection of breast cancer, however, it is a blessing. Fatty breast tissue is easier to examine during breast self exams and clinical breast exams. This softer breast tissue also makes mammograms easier to accomplish, more accurate and much easier to read.
“Breast-Mapping”® was designed as an educational tool and it should not be used in place of appropriate medical care. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented herein is accurate at the time of publication. New research is ongoing however, and therefore it is possible that the data and recommendations presented herein may be invalidated by new findings.
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