BREAST

1
Lesson 3

• BREAST BODY FAMILIARITY

Manitoba Breast Womens Cancer Network,
Adolescent Breast Health Resource Package,
September 2007
2
the breast
3
main function
to produce and secrete milk
4
Anatomy of the Breast
5
Appearance
each breast is generally circular or tear drop
in shape
one breast is often larger than the other
a nipple is in the center of each breast
the nipple may stand out, be flat or pulled in
the colored area around the nipple is called
the areola
the areola may be pink, brown or black like
our complexion
little bumps called Montgomerys glands may be
seen on the areola
hair follicles are common around the nipple
6
Position

• ? the breast extends from the collar bone to bra
  line and breast bone to the armpit
• ? breasts are positioned over the ribs and two
  muscles
• ? the muscles are called the pectoralis major and
  pectoralis minor muscles

7
Composition
each breast has 15-20 lobes
each lobe has many small lobules (like a stem
of grapes)
breast milk is produced in the lobules
slender tubes called ducts carry the breast
milk to the nipple
www.cancerquest.org
8
the nipple has 6-8 openings where the milk is
secreted
fatty and fibrous tissue provide shape and
support to the breast
www.cancerquest.org
9
THE BREAST
Vessels
Chest wall muscle
Lymph node
Supportive ligaments
Lymph channel
Fatty tissue
Milk lobes (glands)
Lactiferous sinus
Lactiferous duct
Nipple
Areola

Illustrations C2007 GCT II Solutions and
Enterprises Ltd.  
10
BREAST DEVELOPMENT
begins during the 6th week of fetal life
develops in a line called the milk ridge
fetal development

11
The Milk Ridge
the milk ridge runs from the armpit to the
groin
the line shrinks by the 9th week of fetal life
remaining only in the chest area
in animals the ridge remains, which is why
they have multiple nipples
occasionally a woman will have an extra nipple
(on this line) which is often mistaken for a
birthmark
12
80-90 of all infants (boys girls) have
nipple discharge on the 2nd or 3rd day of life
breast tissue is present
at birth
this discharge is called witchs milk and
goes away within a couple of weeks
the tissue is sensitive to the mothers hormones
circulating through the placenta
13
a bud of breast tissue begins to grow under
the nipple
one breast may always be larger
one breast may develop more quickly than the
other
at puberty
the ducts begin to grow and reach full growth
around the time menstruation begins
the female hormones estrogen and progesterone
affect breast growth
14
there is a large variation in breast size
15
Breast Size

• ? the proportion of milk glands, ducts and fat in
  the breast changes with age
• ? during puberty the breast is mainly ducts
• ? breasts of 20 year old women are mainly
  lobular (milk glands) tissue
• ? size increases dramatically in pregnant and
  breastfeeding women
• ? breasts of women over 50 years are mainly
  fatty tissue
• ? because of the fatty makeup of breasts, size
  can change as a persons body shape and size
  changes

16
get to know how your breasts look and feel
17
knowing what is normal for your breasts may
help you detect changes if they occur.
18

• There is no need to follow any kind of
• routine or schedule.

You can become breast familiar in any way that
feels comfortable for you.
19

• This might mean looking and feeling while
• ? getting dressed
• ? looking in the mirror
• ? in the bath or shower
• ? standing up or lying down

20
breasts and nipples come in all different
shapes
colors
textures
sizes
21
hair around nipples
sensitivity or discomfort
inverted nipples
normal adolescent breasts may have
nipple discharge
swelling, tenderness, increased lumpyness
a difference in size between breasts
stretch marks
22
Potential Breast Changes to Check Out With Your
Doctor
changes in size, shape or colour
pain in the breast or armpit that is unrelated
to ones menstrual cycle
thickened or hard skin
a new lump
spontaneous, new or bloody nipple discharge
puckering or dimpling of the skin
a change in the nipple
23
Provided by CancerCare Manitoba Breast Screening
Program Breast Health There is so Much You Can
Do (Pamphlet)
24
be P.I.N.K. to reduce your risk
BREAST CANCER

• P ractice what you know
• eat healthy
• be active
• dont smoke
• one drink per day or less
• I nvestigate the information
• know fact from fiction
• N know whats normal
• for your body and breasts
• K nowledge is power

25
Students should contact

• CancerCare Manitoba Breast Cancer Centre of Hope

• (788-8080 or Toll Free at 1-800-660-4866)
• in Winnipeg for further information if necessary.

26
(No Transcript)