Hormones, self-examination and pregnancy: 6 questions about your breasts answered by expert Odette Patho

It’s October 1st and that means Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We all know how important it is to check your breasts, but we certainly don’t do it often enough. To raise awareness among women about getting to know their own breasts, breast radiologist Odette Patho joins today.

Young women have many questions about the health and care of their breasts. What should we fear? And what exactly does anything mean? Odette answers the six most common questions.

Odette Patho Expert on examining your breasts and other issues

In some cases you can diagnose breast cancer yourself. That’s why it’s important to know what your breasts normally look and feel like: it makes it easier to recognize if something changes. Normalizing discussions about breast health can greatly contribute to better awareness: because what exactly should you pay attention to? Patho answers six questions that women have.

1. How do hormones affect your breasts?
“Hormones play a big role in how breasts feel during the menstrual cycle. Before ovulation, in the first half of the cycle, there is less tension in the breasts due to low estrogen levels. After ovulation, higher levels of estrogen and progesterone often cause more inflammation and tenderness. If you are considering doing a breast exam, it is best to do so between days 7 and 12 of the cycle, as this is when the breasts feel more sensitive, making changes easier to find.”

2. What should you pay attention to during a breast examination?
“During self-examination it is important to know what to look for and how to do this comfortably. The picture below will help you identify symptoms such as lumps, dimpled skin or nipple changes. Although self-examination is not a substitute for a medical examination, it can help you detect changes more quickly. Don’t you trust him? Call your doctor.”

3. What are the possible symptoms of breast cancer?
“The main signs of breast cancer include lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in the skin (such as dimpling), nipple inversion or bloody discharge, persistent pain, and swelling in the breast. It is important to have these symptoms checked by a doctor, as early detection is key to more successful treatment.”

4. Is your breast exam different when you are pregnant?
“During pregnancy, breasts change dramatically due to hormonal changes, including growth, tenderness, dark nipples and visible veins. Although these changes are normal, if you experience hard lumps, severe incontinence, severe pain, irregular lumps or blood loss, you should contact a doctor and have the breasts examined, and if you prefer also through pictures.”

5. How to check your breasts if you have breast implants?
“Self-examination with breast implants can feel different than with natural breasts. It is important to know what normal feels like so that you can see changes. Look for movement of the prostheses, wrinkles, capsular contractions, visible ridges, and changes in the breast tissue. Imaging tests such as 3D mammography, ultrasound or MRI can be safely performed with implants.”

6. What tests are available for breast examinations?
“There are a number of tests for breasts, such as 3D mammography, which take multiple x-ray images from different angles and are particularly useful for dense breast tissue. For women under 30 years of age, ultrasound is used, where sound waves help identify lumps or cysts. An MRI scan creates detailed images with magnetic fields and is often used in cases where there is a high risk of breast cancer or unclear results. Contrast fluid is almost always added to better visualize abnormalities. These tests are often combined to get a complete picture of breast health. The choice depends on symptoms and medical history. “