Persistent Breast Lumps Could Signal Cancer, Doctor Warns

Women should not wait until they stop breastfeeding before having a persistent breast lump or unusual breast change examined, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai said.

The President of Breast Care International warned against assuming that such symptoms simply reflect milk production, mastitis or blocked milk ducts. Breastfeeding can lower the risk of breast cancer, she said, but it does not eliminate that risk. “Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, but lower risk does not mean no risk,” she said.

Wiafe Addai spoke during a webinar organised by the West African Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture for journalists across West Africa. The discussion covered breast cancer trends, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment challenges in the sub-region.

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Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, but lower risk does not mean no risk.

She said delays in seeking care can affect treatment outcomes. Stigma, misinformation, treatment costs, long distances to health facilities and limited access to specialists all contribute to late diagnosis and treatment in West Africa. She urged journalists to challenge beliefs that breast cancer results from witchcraft, cannot be treated or spreads because of surgery.

For a palpable lump during pregnancy or breastfeeding, ultrasound is often the first imaging test, Wiafe Addai said. Necessary diagnostic imaging should not be withheld because a woman is breastfeeding. Women diagnosed with breast cancer should receive individual advice about breastfeeding, since some treatments can affect their ability to continue.

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A woman should not be told to wait until breastfeeding ends before investigating a suspicious symptom. Persistent breast changes need assessment.