Learning breast anatomy is important for health
The well-known breast
cancer advocacy and
research group Susan
G. Komen indicates that,
according to the most recent
data available, 1.7 million new
cases of breast cancer occurred
among women worldwide in
2012. Western Europe, North
America, and northern Europe
have the highest breast cancer
incidences in the world, according
to the International Agency
for Research on Cancer and the
World Health Organization.
Women diagnosed with breast
cancer may want to begin their
treatment journeys by educating
themselves on the anatomy
of the breast so they can better
understand their disease and
how it develops.
The structure of the breast is
complex and comprised of fat,
glandular tissue, connective tissue,
lobes, lobules, ducts, lymph
nodes, blood vessels, and ligaments.
The following is a breakdown
of the common components
of the breast:
Fat cells: The female breast is
largely fat cells called adipose tissue.
This tissue extends from the
collarbone down to the underarm
and across to the middle of
the rib cage. The main purpose
of adipose tissue is to store energy
in the form of fat and insulate
the body.
Lobules: Each breast contains
several sections that branch
out from the nipple. Lobule
glands make milk and are often
grouped together to form lobes.
There may be between 15 and
20 lobes in each breast, says the
Discussing bodily changes with young women
Caribbean L 38 ife, Oct. 11-17, 2019 BQ
Cleveland Clinic. Each lobe has
roughly 20 to 40 lobules.
Ducts: Connecting the lobules
are small tubes called ducts.
The ducts carry milk to the nipples
of the breasts. There are
around 10 duct systems in each
breast, each with its own opening
at the nipple.
Nipple: The nipple may be the
most recognizeable part of the
breast. It is in the center of the
breast. The lobules will squeeze
milk into the ducts, which then
transfer it to the nipples. Most
nipples protrude outward, but
according to Health magazine’s
medical editor Dr. Roshini
Rajapaksa, some women have
flat or inverted nipples. The nipples
do not have a singular hole
for the milk to come out like an
artificial bottle nipple.
Rather, there are
m
ou
tha
ducts
Lym
ing th
tissue
many lactiferous duct
outlets in each nipple
that correspond to the
ducts in each breast.
Lymph system: Snaking
through the adipose
tissue are lymph vessels
nodes. The lymph
and
sys
system distributes disease
fighting cells and
ea
fluids as part of the
immune system,
states the National
Breast
I B
Breast Cancer Foundation,
Inc. Bean-shaped lymph
nodes in fixed areas through the
system filter abnormal cells away
from healthy tissue.
Areola: The areola is pigmented
skin surrounding a nipple.
The areola contains tubercles
called Montgomery’s glands,
which secrete lubricating materials
to make breastfeeding more
comfortable.
Changes in any areas of the
breast may be indicative of cancer.
That is why women are urged
to understand their breasts’
“normal” appearance and feel so
they can recognize any changes
and address them with a doctor
right away.
African woman in bra with pink ribbon breast cancer awareness
P arents to
preteen and
t e e n a g e
daughters
may have
many things
on their minds
as their children
grow older. Young
women entering
puberty are entering
periods marked by
unique physical changes,
and families may find themselves
facing the topic of menstruation
and family life before
they know it.
The Canadian Women’s
Health Network notes that
research indicates a gradual
decline in the average age of
puberty onset in North American
women, with menstruation
occurring earlier and
earlier. This may be attributed
to decreased rates of disease
and increased nutrition.
Sandra Steingraber, a medical
researcher who has done
groundbreaking work on the
links between environmental
health contaminants and cancer,
says puberty also may be
tied to environmental changes,
namely exposure to endocrinedisrupting
chemicals.
Puberty-related physical
changes may now occur in girls
as young as 8 or 9. ObGyn.net
says that the average age for
menarche, or first menstruation,
in the United States is age
12.16 for black girls and 12.88
for caucasian. Among Canadian
respondents aged 14 to 17
in the National Longitudinal
Survey of Children and Youth,
the mean age at menarche was
12.72 years.
Parents and young women
between the ages of 10 and 15
should realize that menarche
and menstruation in general is
a critical mark in the reproductive
life of women and should
prepare for its arrival. Menstruation
is part of a cycle of
reproduction that occurs when
the uterine lining of blood and
tissue leaves the body because
it is not needed to cushion a fertilized
egg. A menstrual period
generally can last between two
and seven days, and during, an
average amount of two tablespoons
of blood is shed. An
entire menstrual cycle for girls
and teens ranges from 21 to 45
days, offers Kids Health.
Each girl is different, but
menstruation generally occurs
within two to four years of
other signs of puberty, such as
breast budding and growth of
underarm and pubic hair. The
American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists recommends
that teenagers schedule
a first gynecologic visit between
the ages of 13 and 15, particularly
if menstruation has
started. A gynecologist can be a
good sounding board for questions
regarding what is normal,
what to expect in years to come,
and general health concerning
the female reproductive system
and body — including breast
health. A gynecologist will also
spell out the ideal times for certain
testing, which can include
pelvic exams, external genital
exams, and Pap tests.
Menstruation can be an
exciting, yet confusing time in
a young woman’s life. Since
many young women now experience
menstruation earlier
than their mothers may have,
families may want to discuss
puberty with their daughters
sooner than they might have
initially planned.
/ObGyn.net