Last week, Philippa Kaye, PhD, author of the all-important new book, Beasts: An Owner’s Guide, explained what to do about the many non-cancer issues that affect the breast. This week her GP tackles important issues to watch out for in middle age and beyond…
My 55 year old patient, let’s call her Nina. I asked many middle-aged women who came to my GP clinic the question: “Do you have any concerns about your breasts?”
She frankly hasn’t paid much attention to them since they “headed south for the winter.” I couldn’t stand it.”
It’s a familiar story. Young women seem to be conscious of their breast health, but when they reach a certain age, they forget that they exist, but they are most likely to cause health problems. is at this point in her life.
In Nina’s case, following my advice, there was a small growth that I only noticed when she got home that night and checked her breasts. Thankfully, it turned out to be a harmless cyst. But when she came to her senses, she realized it was because of the pain around her bra straps.
And of course it could have been something more serious.
Not only does the risk of breast cancer jump significantly between the ages of 40 and 51 (8 out of 10 for those over the age of 50), but the precipitous decline in sex hormone levels means that the risk of other breasts increases with age. This means that you are more susceptible to problems with
Last week, in conjunction with the publication of my book, Beasts: An Owner’s Guide, I outlined all possible non-cancer problems, from rashes to soreness to tightness and even jogger nipples.
This week we take up the extra taboo of middle-aged breasts. Women of a certain age don’t often talk openly about their intimate body parts, but they should especially because this is the time when talking about your breasts is most likely to save your life. , life after cancer, and how to prevent sagging, here’s the ultimate guide to taking care of your middle-aged breasts.
Can improve sagging bust
A few weeks ago Sarah, a 48-year-old teacher, came to see me and complained that she had lost her libido. She thought it was because her sex hormones naturally decreased as she approached menopause.
But as we talked, it became clear that the problem had nothing to do with her hormones. I was worried about
I was particularly concerned about my chest. “They’re drooping,” she said. “I don’t feel attractive and I don’t want to have sex.”
Sarah is not alone. In fact, I think we often underestimate the impact physical changes can have on our mental health.
Sagging – breast ptosis – affects all women, not just those with large busts, for several reasons.
First, a drop in estrogen levels. This hormone helps form collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm. Also, as the glandular tissue responsible for milk production begins to shrink, the breast becomes less dense and consists mostly of adipose tissue.
These changes can cause your breasts to become smaller, lower, elongated, or flattened. You may notice that your nipples are pointing down instead of up. Some women also have increased hair growth around the areola (the circle of pigmented skin that surrounds the nipple).
There are several things you can do to combat gravity. First, don’t smoke. It weakens the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the skin and damages collagen. Also, exercises that strengthen the chest wall and shoulder muscles, such as lifting weights, can help lift the chest slightly. You can
For Sarah, broadcasting her insecurities helped her open up to her husband and take some of the pressure off.
don’t be afraid of mammography
You’d be surprised how many women say they don’t go to breast cancer screenings.
Scans given every three years to women aged 50 to 71 prevent approximately 1,300 breast cancer deaths each year. But research shows that about a third of women in the UK don’t attend. why? There are several reasons.
For example, Sonal, 68, is a patient who has never been to a doctor for fear of pain.
I explained to her that a mammogram involves placing the breast between two plates and taking an x-ray. This creates a feeling of pressure and can be painful.
For some women, the discomfort may persist for several days afterward, but for the majority, the discomfort goes away once the mammogram is over and takes only a few minutes. But I was also troubled by the rumor that mammograms cause cancer.
She is talking about radiation exposure. However, the amount used in mammograms is very small. In fact, a simple life would expose him to the same amount for seven weeks.
Meanwhile, Liz, another 64-year-old patient, was reading about overdiagnosis. She did not want unnecessary treatment.
While it is true that some breast cancers are not life-threatening and do not actually cause any symptoms, the risk of finding this on screening is small. It is
And some people worry about what might appear, what I call “fear of discovering.”
I explain that if something is found during screening, it is not cancer in most cases.
Four out of 100 women were asked for follow-up after breast screening, but three quarters had nothing to worry about.
Breast screening saves lives, especially for older women.
Begins to form lumps in middle age
When a lump or bump develops in the breast, it may or may not be harmless, and may occur in middle age.
Women in their 40s and 50s going through menopause are more likely to notice breast enlargement at certain times of the month. This is because ovulation is still occurring, albeit irregularly, and changes in hormone levels can lead to breast changes.
Last week I mentioned something called fibrocystic breast – clusters of small cysts and areas of fibrous thickening. It is commonly seen in younger women. Single cysts become more common as women get older, but can occur at any age.
If you notice a lump, go to the doctor. As I said last week we GP don’t have his x-ray specs so we may send you to the breast clinic for scans and other tests this is a two week cancer referral 9 times out of 10 it is harmless.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that feel smooth and hard. The reason for their formation is not well understood. Suffering from them does not make you more likely to develop cancer.
Cysts usually don’t need treatment, but they can be surgically drained if they bother you, but they can be filled. This is done under local anesthesia. A small needle is pricked into the skin to allow the fluid to escape.
Other types of lumps include fat overgrowths called lipomas. A lipoma may become soft enough to be crushed by the pressure of the palm of your hand. Or fat necrosis. The skin around the necrotic lump may be red and bruised, more often in women with large breasts.
Scar tissue can also cause hard lumps, as can small wart-like intraductal papillomas that appear near the areola.
Unfortunately, these lumps must be treated as potential breast cancer until proven otherwise. Urgent referral to a breast clinic may be made. Above all, don’t panic. It’s not like I got breast cancer.
Side effects of cancer treatment
A woman diagnosed with breast cancer every 30 years was lucky to survive 5 years. Currently, 80% of those who develop the disease will live to her for at least 10 years, but its effects may outlive treatment.
Most of these women are discharged from professional services and seek answers from their GPs.
First, there are physical changes that can affect confidence. Radiation therapy can also make one breast harder and smaller than the other. People who have had a lumpectomy (where the cancer was removed but the breast was saved) may notice a dented scar or skin tethering.
Physiotherapy for scars – which uses stretching and massage to heal the tissue – can relieve pain and improve appearance, but is not usually offered on the NHS.
A common problem is lymphedema, which affects about 1 in 5 women who have had breast cancer surgery and can develop years later.
This condition is a buildup of fluid that leads to swelling and stiffness in the affected arm and hand.
It occurs when surgery damages lymphatic vessels (small tubes that carry waste fluid and white blood cells in the body). GPs can refer patients to lymphedema specialist nurses for treatments such as massage and compression garments. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it, such as exercising your upper body and eating a balanced diet with less salt.
Sunburn and skin infections increase your risk, so use sunscreen and wear gloves when doing things like gardening. If possible, use your other arm when going for blood tests.
Women who have had breast cancer can be prescribed estrogen-blocking hormone medications to help prevent recurrence.
People taking some types of hormonal medications should provide regular bone density scans, and vitamin D and calcium supplements may help to strengthen bones.
And if you’re struggling with the aftermath of cancer, don’t be afraid to seek mental health support from your primary care physician.
Women often suffer in silence, but talking therapy can help so they can support the group.
