Health Central Six Signs That You Have Healthy Breasts Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 08 July 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Health Central Six Signs That You Have Healthy Breasts It's important for women to know their own bodies, says Cedars-Sinai breast surgical oncologist Lauren DeStefano, MD. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Doctor, MD, Health Central recently interviewed Lauren M. DeStefano, MD, a breast surgical oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Cancer in Tarzana, about the characteristics of normal, healthy breasts, signs that could be cause for concern, and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of breast cancer. A pair of breasts are considered sisters—not twins—because they often are asymmetrical, with one breast slightly larger or droopy. Breasts can be lumpy, bumpy or made of dense tissue, which especially is common among premenopausal women, DeStefano told Health Central. If the lumpiness feels the same in both breasts, then it likely is normal. But if any lumps are different or unique, it’s best to discuss with a physician. “I often tell women it’s important to know their own bodies,” DeStefano told Health Central. “Knowing when something is new or different for their own body is really the most important thing.” Nipple discharge also is normal, unless it's bloody, which could be a sign of a noncancerous growth in the duct. “These can be associated with abnormal cells that can be a precursor for a pre-cancer or a cancer,” DeStefano told Health Central. Breast pain also shouldn’t be cause for concern. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, hormone fluctuations normally cause breast pain and tenderness. “Breast pain is very rarely associated with a breast cancer,” DeStefano told Health Central. But breast cancer is common, and roughly 1 in 8 women will develop the disease. To lower that risk, DeStefano recommended lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake and increasing physical activity, even simply by walking. Regular screenings also are important. “Our screening has become so good that we generally find these cancers at very early, curable stages,” DeStefano told Health Central. Click here to read the complete article from Health Central. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Health Central Six Signs That You Have Healthy Breasts Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home