Breasts
When you have a concern about breast pain or breast lumps, the first step is to visit a doctor for a personal consultation. Getting an accurate diagnosis is important: a detailed assessment typically includes a breast ultrasound scan and you may be offered hormone tests.We also offer screening for breast cancer as part of a wellwoman screen, if you are concerned about symptoms or have a family history.
Medical treatment is available but is not always necessary; some symptoms, such as breast pain and lumps, improve in response to nuritional changes and/or complementary care. We'll help you find what's right for you.
You begin by meeting your gynaecologist or GP to talk about your symptoms and your personal and family history, and for a gentle examination.
Accurate Diagnosis is important and your doctor will advise a meeting with CDS ultrasound scanning specialists here at Viveka, who have an excellent record for diagnosing breast problems and other gynaecological issues.
- Ultrasound scanning and mammograms are the cornerstone of diagnosis. Your breasts will be checked for cysts and abnormal tissue changes. Mammography and advanced ultrasound imaging can detect many breast lesions or abnormal tissue changes at a very early stage. Combining ultrasound with mammography is a good way to screen for cancer.
- We offer an ongoing screening programme for women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer and for women who have had IVF treatment.
- Breast symptoms may reflect changes within the ovaries; particularly as a reaction to oestrogen production. Our combined use of pelvic and breast ultrasound allows us to identify this response.
Treatment for your symptoms is tailored to you:
- it may involve medication prescribed by your doctor.
- Surgery is occasionally needed to assist with diagnosis and to treat abnormal tissue changes. Surgery is performed by a specialist breast surgeon associated with Viveka.
- Some symptoms, such as lumpiness in the breast, are related to menstrual hormone fluctuation. Your hormonal balance may improve in response to lifestyle measures including exercise, relaxation and improved nutrition.
- Complementary therapies may be helpful. At Viveka, women often use acupuncture and homeopathy to assist in the balance of hormones, which may then reduce symptoms.
Did you know?
Acupuncture can treat some breast lumps. Some women are prone to lumpy breasts because the circulation of body fluids is slower than normal, and glands tend to become blocked, causing build up of heat and toxins. By treating stomach and liver 'heat' and superficially treating breasts, lumps can clear within hours.
Acupuncture may also be useful following breast cancer treatment. Acupuncture can help side effects of chemotherapy, e.g. nausea, skin itching and redness. If tamoxifen is prescribed to reduce levels of oestrogen when breast cancer appears to be linked with oestrogen, the result can cause menopausal symptoms such as hot flushing, night sweats, etc; these may be relieved dramatically with acupuncture.
