The Pill and Your Breasts

Three surprising side effects of oral contraceptives.

Birth-control pills might make your boobs a little bigger.

Because the hormones in the Pill cause fluid retention, it is likely your breasts will feel somewhat fuller.

Some types may heal breast blemishes.

Just as certain kinds of Pills contain hormones that clear up and prevent facial acne, these types also can have a zit-busting effect on your set.

They may affect your breast-cancer odds.

Research suggests that Pill takes may have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have never been on oral contraceptives. Talk to your gyno about the risks.

Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Medical Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, September 2009

Breast-Cancer Prevention

A heart-pounding way to ward off the disease

A new study found that women who exercised regularly before turning 35 had a 23% decreased risk of developing breast cancer before menopause than did sedentary young women.

One theory: Working out seems to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body, and research indicates that the more estrogen a woman has, the greater her breast-cancer odds.

It's never too late to start indulging in moderate 30-minute cardio sessions at least 3 times a week. Try biking around your neighborhood; taking a long, brisk walk; or popping in a workout DVD to do in front of the TV.

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2008

When You Feel a Lump

Don't panic—most turn out to be benign. Here, three types common in young women.

A hard, movable lump in one breast.

If it feels firm and smooth all over, like a marble, and isn't fixed in one place, it's probably a fluid-filled cyst. Have your doctor take a look to be sure. Cysts are harmless but can be drained.

A pimplelike swelling on your areola.

Sounds like a buildup of mucus in one of the many tiny glands that dot the areolae. These glands lubricate your nipples during breast-feeding. Let your gyno diagnose it; you can then leave it alone or apply a warm compress to loosen the buildup. An antibiotic may be needed if there are any signs of infection.

Little lumps that appear in both breasts preperiod.

If this happens just before your flow then smooths out once it's over, it's likely due to hormone changes and nothing to worry about. If a lump or area of thickening persists or gets larger over time, talk to your gyno.

Source: Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org and coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2009

Breast Cancer News

We get to the bottom of three very alarming recent headlines.

"Lights at night are linked to breast cancer."

It's not yet clear yet whether it's living in a well-lit area that's a risk factor or if some other component of urban or suburban life may be to blame.

"Depression may influence breast cancer."

Researchers looked at five studies and concluded that women with depression had a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. But some of the risk factors for breast cancer overlap with risk factors for depression, such as obesity, so depression itself may not be the cause.

"Early smoking boosts breast cancer risk."

Study authors theorize that a young woman's breast tissue is still developing and, therefore, more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco. Though more research needs to be done, the advice is clear: Don't smoke... or quit!

Source: Breast Cancer Oncologist Marisa Weiss, coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 2008

Worrisome Breast Signs

Don't let these distressing symptoms panic you.

You feel a lump.

Your first thought might be breast cancer, but that is rare in women under 35. More likely, the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a fibroadenoma, two common benign growths. Check in with your gyno if the lump doesn't go away after one menstrual cycle.

A sharp pain strikes.

An out-of-the-blue stabbing sensation is probably the result of a fluid-filled cyst that has ruptured. Unless it continues to cause discomfort, you can ignore it.

A spot or rash develops.

It's probably caused by chafing from your bra, dry skin, or a skin yeast infection from sweat buildup. But if it is a single spot that doesn't heal, has an irregular border, is larger than a pencil eraser, or is two-toned, your derm should look at it.

You notice nipple discharge.

It's normal for whitish, yellow, or even green fluid to emerge if you squeeze your nipple. Should the fluid come out spontaneously or if it's bloody, see your gyno; a benign tumor may be the cause.

Source: Katherine Alley, MD, Medical Director of Suburban Breast Center in Bethesda, Maryland

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 2008

Ways Your Breasts Age

As you move through your 20s and 30s, your twins experience some changes.

In your 20s

Your breasts are at their genetically predetermined size, and your breast tissue is at its firmest. This decade is when you're most likely to develop a benign breast lump, such as a cyst or fibroadenoma—a painless, firm mass.

In your early 30s

The collagen that helps keep breasts firm begins to lose elasticity, so most women notice some sagging. If you smoke, the sagging may be more apparent, because chemicals in tobacco break down collagen. A more serious worry: breast cancer. At 30, your risk of the disease is 1 in 257. Monthly breast self-exams and a yearly clinical breast exam by your gyno should be routine.

In your late 30s

Gravity, and any pregnancies, will have made your breasts less dense. Pregnancy can also leave your nipples darker. As for breast cancer, some gynos suggest that a 35+ woman get a baseline mammogram, but all women should get them yearly after 40.

Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Sex-Health Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, February 2008

Must-Know Breast Info

Answers to the most common questions women ask gynos

What can I do to make my boobs bigger?

Gaining weight will do the trick, and certain exercises may build the muscle in your chest so your set might appear larger. But once your boobs reach their predestined size, nothing will increase their dimensions.

Breast cancer runs in my family. Is my risk higher?

Maybe. Women with a first-degree relative—i.e., a mother or sister—who has been diagnosed with the disease have about a 50% increased risk. Women who have second-degree relatives, such as a grandmother, with breast cancer may also have higher odds. If you fall into either of these categories, tell your gyno. She may suggest that you be tested for genetic abnormalities.

Is it normal for my breasts to be asymmetrical?

Yep, most women have one breast that's larger than the other. The difference is usually slight but may be up to a cup size.

Sources: Suzanne Trupin, OB-GYN in Champaign, Illinois; American Cancer Society

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, January 2008

Eating Habits and Breast Health

Food you consume can affect your set in surprising ways.

Yo-yo dieting leaves them less firm.

Falling into a cycle of losing weight, gaining it back, and losing it again stretches the connective tissue in your pair, making them looser. (As little as 10 pounds can be enough for sag to set in).

Caffeine makes them ache.

Experts aren't exactly sure why, but caffeine-rich foods and beverages contribute to PMS-induced breast tenderness. Cutting back on chocolate, coffee, cola, and tea during your preperiod week will help ease the discomfort.

Two drinks a day raise your odds for breast cancer.

Two beers, glasses of wine, or shots daily make you one-and-a-half times more likely to develop the disease.

Fat intake is also a cancer factor.

Premenopausal women who consume animal fat, mainly from red meat and dairy products, have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Source: Los Angeles OB-GYN Eldridge Pearsall

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, March 2008