To some women they're the "girls," "pillows" or "ta-tas." Whatever you call them, the breasts are an important part of a woman's anatomy. It's a good idea to get to know how your breasts usually look and feel. If you know them well, you're more likely to spot a problem early.

Understanding your breasts
The breasts are glands whose job is to make, store and dispense milk. Each breast is made up of lobes, which are divided into lobules. The lobules have tiny glands that produce milk. Ducts carry the milk from the lobules to the nipples. Connective tissue binds the lobules together, and fatty tissue surrounds the lobules and ducts.

The breasts also contain a number of thin tubes called lymph vessels, which are similar to blood vessels. These vessels connect to lymph nodes that surround the breast. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system, which helps your body fight disease and infection.

Getting to know your breasts
Most experts don't recommend breast self-exams for breast cancer detection. Mammograms and breast exams by your doctor are the best way to find breast cancer early. If you do self-exams, they should be done in addition to, not instead of, mammograms and clinical breast exams. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exams.

Still, many women choose to check their breasts on a regular basis. They often do this while they're showering or bathing. If you are familiar with your body, you'll know what's normal for you and notice any changes that occur.

The various types of breast tissue respond differently to the hormone changes that accompany your menstrual cycle. Some types get softer while others become more firm. This helps explain why you may feel changes in your breast that come and go.

Most breasts have some lumpy areas that are perfectly normal. If you find a lumpy area in one breast, check the surrounding area and the opposite breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. Check with your doctor right away, though, just to be sure.

Breast changes that may signal a problem include:

• A hard lump or knot in or near the breast or under your arm
• Dimples, puckers or ridges in the breast skin
• A nipple that turns in instead of sticking out
• Redness, warmth, swelling or pain
• An itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Discharge from the breast (other than milk)
• A change in the color, size, shape or texture of a breast

If you notice any of these changes, see your doctor right away. Most breast lumps or changes are not cancer, but you may need to have a test to confirm that.

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External Sources National Women's Health Information Center. Breast awareness and breast self-exam. . Accessed June 04, 2009 American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. Breast self-exam.. Accessed June 04, 2009 National Cancer Institute. What you need to know about breast cancer.. Accessed June 04, 2009 American Cancer Society. Detailed guide: breast cancer. . Accessed June 04, 2009

This article was reviewed and updated 08-01-2009.