How to tell the difference between mastitis and breast cancer?

Understanding the Differences: Mastitis vs. Breast Cancer
When it comes to breast health, two conditions that often cause concern are mastitis and breast cancer. While both can present with similar symptoms, understanding their differences is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is primarily an infection of the breast tissue, most commonly affecting women who are breastfeeding. It typically occurs when bacteria enter the breast tissue through a cracked or sore nipple, leading to inflammation, pain, and sometimes fever. Symptoms of mastitis include:
– Swelling and redness in the affected area
– Warmth to the touch
– Pain or tenderness in the breast
– Possible nipple discharge, which may be pus-like
Mastitis is generally treatable with antibiotics and often resolves quickly with appropriate care.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer, on the other hand, is a more serious condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. One specific type, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), can mimic the symptoms of mastitis. IBC is aggressive and often presents with:
– Swelling and redness of the breast
– A warm sensation
– A lump or thickening in the breast tissue
– Changes in the skin texture, such as dimpling or a pitted appearance
Unlike mastitis, breast cancer does not typically respond to antibiotics and may require more extensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Key Differences to Note
1. Demographics: Mastitis is most common in younger, lactating women, while inflammatory breast cancer typically occurs in older women.

2. Symptoms: While both conditions can cause swelling and redness, mastitis usually presents with localized pain and fever, whereas inflammatory breast cancer may not cause pain but can lead to more systemic symptoms like fatigue.
3. Response to Treatment: Mastitis generally improves with antibiotic treatment, while breast cancer symptoms persist or worsen despite such treatment.
4. Duration of Symptoms: Mastitis symptoms often develop rapidly and can resolve within a few days of treatment. In contrast, symptoms of breast cancer may develop more gradually and persist over time.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you experience symptoms such as a lump in the breast, persistent redness, or swelling that does not improve with typical mastitis treatment, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional. They may recommend imaging tests, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to rule out breast cancer.
In conclusion, while mastitis and breast cancer can share some overlapping symptoms, understanding their distinct characteristics can help in recognizing when to seek further medical evaluation. Early detection is key in managing both conditions effectively.

How do you rule out breast cancer?

Diagnosing Breast Cancer

1. Breast ultrasound. A machine that uses sound waves to make pictures, called sonograms, of areas inside the breast.
2. Diagnostic mammogram.
3. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
4. Biopsy.

What does stage 1 breast cancer feel like?

The most common symptom of ductal carcinoma is a firm or hard lump that feels very different from the rest of the breast. It may feel like it is attached to the skin or the surrounding breast tissue. The lump doesn’t get smaller or come and go with your period. It may be tender, but it’s usually not painful.

Can you squeeze out mastitis?

Try squeezing just behind the blister; you might be able to squeeze out some toothpaste-like material through the now opened blister. If you have a blocked duct at the same time as the blister, this might result in the duct unblocking. Putting the baby to the breast may also result in the baby unblocking the duct.

What does a mastitis lump feel like?

They include: a swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch – the area may become red but this can be harder to see if you have black or brown skin. a wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast. a burning pain in your breast that might be constant or only when you breastfeed.

What does a clogged duct look like when pumping?

A blocked breast duct may appear as a tender lump the size of a pea or larger, and occasionally presents with a small white blister on the nipple.

What are the five warning signs of breast cancer?

Some warning signs of breast cancer are:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

Can breast cancer be mistaken for mastitis?

This type of cancer blocks the lymph vessels, which causes the symptoms of inflammation. Inflammatory breast cancer is often mistaken for mastitis (an infection that can occur with breastfeeding) or cellulitis (a bacterial infection).

How to tell the difference between a clogged milk duct and breast cancer?

Differentiating Clogged Ducts from Breast Cancer
They may change in size with hormonal fluctuations and are often not associated with pain. On the other hand, malignant lumps are typically firm, irregularly shaped, and may feel fixed to the surrounding tissue.

Which physical finding can help distinguish inflammatory breast cancer from mastitis?

A primary difference between mastitis and inflammatory breast cancer is that mastitis may also cause a fever, a headache, and nipple discharge. These three symptoms are not typical of IBC.

When should I be worried about a breast lump?

Make an appointment to have a breast lump checked, especially if: The lump is new and feels firm or fixed. The lump doesn’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks. Or it has changed in size or in how it feels.