subject: Why To Be Breast Aware? [print this page] Women breasts are made up of three different tissues that are fatty, fibrous and glandular tissues. These tissues are spread on the chest wall and around into the armpit, these tissues are supported by ligaments and the main chest muscle that is extends up to the ribs. Glandular tissues contain lobes and each lobe contains many lobules that are milk producing glands.
At the time of lactation breast milk is transferred from lobules to nipples through some tubes called ducts to breastfeed the infants. There is a darker area around the nipple that is called areola and the areola contains very small bumps on it they are called Montgomery glands and a fluid is produced by them to moisturize the nipples.
Usual Breast Changes
Women breasts are more likely to develop changes throughout the life some usual changes take place in breasts at different stages of life such as puberty, adolescence, pregnancy and menopause etc. It is due to the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone in the human body.
Puberty is the time when estrogen and progesterone start playing a vital role in regulation of women menstrual cycle and as a result a female starts menstruating. These hormones are responsible for the changes that take place in breasts before periods and come into the category of usual changes.
Changes Due To Periods
Women experience heavier, fuller, lumpy or tender breasts before periods and as periods finish these changes disappear completely; it is also possible for some women to have lumpy and tender breasts all the time. Breast pain is also linked to menstrual cycle sometimes and it is called cyclical breast pain usually.
Changes Due To Pregnancy
Some usual breast changes can be early signs of pregnancy and it is also possible that women feel a change in sensation of their breasts such as soreness and tingling specially in nipples. These changes take place due to the higher level of progesterone and growth of milk ducts. Breast size and areola start growing and become bigger and areola remains darker throughout the period of pregnancy.
Changes during Breastfeeding
Large amount of milk is produced during breast feeding as the size of breast changes several times a day according to the feeding pattern of the infant. It is possible for nipples to become sore and cracked during breast feeding as breastfeeding finishes breasts become normal as they were before pregnancy so it is possible to be less firm comparatively.
Breast Changes In Relation To Menopause
Mid 30 is the age when breasts begin to age and at this time glandular tissues start replacing by the fatty tissues. Breast size change when estrogen level falls during and after menopause as a result several; other changes take place like breasts lose their firmness, become tender and less firm. All these changes are important to know because knowledge of all these changes is a crucial part of breast cancer awareness and breast examination needs to be performed on regular basis so that unusual changes can be detected as they take place and to enlighten breast awareness it is crucial. Breast cancer awareness is mandatory for every woman to make early detection possible.
