Prevention & Detection
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Normal Breast Changes
Puberty
Normal changes in the breasts, including enlargement of the areolae, begin when the breasts start to grow, before the onset of menstruation. Growth is controlled by the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which continue to produce normal changes in breast tissue throughout a woman's lifetime. Such regular variations include swelling, tenderness and increased nodularity (lumpiness) just before the menstrual period, when hormone levels are highest. Breasts feel less nodular after menstruation. (The breasts of young girls who have not yet begun to menstruate are seldom nodular at all.)
Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings changes similar to those which occur before the menstrual period. Breasts become tender and swell with fluid, mammary glands and ducts enlarge, and areolae may enlarge. The breasts generally become about one-third larger.
Menopause
At menopause, mammary glands decrease in size, fibrous breast tissue loses strength and elasticity, and breasts become softer and sag with age. The skin of the breasts, which is normally smooth, may become wrinkled as the supporting ligaments slacken.
At Any Age
Your breasts will naturally increase or decrease in size with changes in your weight. Because they are largely composed of fatty tissue, their shape and texture may alter as well if your weight loss or gain is dramatic.
General Information
Most normal changes take place in both breasts simultaneously and roughly symmetrically (that is, in the same relative position or area in each breast). Such changes are less likely to indicate trouble than those occurring in one breast only.
More Detailed Information