Breast diseases

There are many different types of breast diseases.

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Microdochectomy

A microdochectomy or total duct excision involves removing a milk duct (or disc of milk ducts) from your breast. The procedure will stop a continued nipple discharge and help find out what is causing the discharge.

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Mammography

A mammogram is a type of x-ray used to screen for breast cancer. Learn more about the process, plus the benefits and risks of mammography.

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What you should know about breast cancer in young women

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of breast cancer — particularly if you're too young for routine mammograms.

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Gynaecomastia surgery

Surgery for gynaecomastia is an operation to remove excess tissue from your chest.

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Wide local excision

A wide local excision involves removing the cancer with a rim of breast tissue around the cancer. It usually involves removing some of the lymph nodes in your armpit.

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Mastectomy

A mastectomy is an operation to remove a breast, usually to treat breast cancer. Learn how to prepare and what to expect if you need this surgery.

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Male mastectomy

Surgery gives the best chance of you being free of early breast cancer. A mastectomy involves removing all your breast tissue. It usually involves removing some or most of the lymph nodes in your armpit, which helps your healthcare team to decide on any further treatment.

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Imaging-assisted wide local excision

A wide local excision involves removing the cancer with a rim of breast tissue around the cancer. It usually involves removing some of the lymph nodes in your armpit.

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Sentinel node biopsy

Sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes in the armpit to which breast cancer cells can spread. A biopsy to remove the sentinel nodes gives your breast cancer team important information to help plan your future breast cancer treatment.

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Chest wall perforator flap breast reconstruction

A CWPF breast reconstruction is an operation to remove cancer and recreate a breast shape at the same time.

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Excision biopsy of a breast lump

An excision biopsy involves removing a lump from your breast. It can help prevent an unsightly appearance and find out what is causing the lump. If the lump is causing you pain, you may get relief from the pain.

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Axillary node clearance

The lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) can be affected by breast cancer. Axillary node clearance is a procedure to remove your lymph nodes to help treat the cancer and to prevent it from coming back in your armpit.

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Living with breast cancer

A breast cancer diagnosis can have a physical, emotional and practical impact on your life. Learn how to deal with the challenges of living with breast cancer.

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Why am I spotting between periods? Plus 9 other female health questions answered

healthdirect’s Chief Medical Officer answers how to handle the symptoms of endometriosis and bleeding between your periods, plus other questions.

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Breast cysts

Breast cysts are benign bubbles of fluid in the breast. It’s important to know how to recognise them and what to look for if you suspect a lump is not benign.

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Mastitis

Mastitis occurs when breast tissue gets inflamed, usually due to a blocked milk duct caused by breastfeeding. Mastitis can lead to infection.

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Gynaecomastia

Find out about the treatments for gynaecomastia – the development of enlarged breasts in males - also sometimes called 'man boobs'.

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Breast checks to detect breast cancer

Your risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Here’s how to recognise symptoms and detect it early.

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Breast cancer

Breast cancer often shows as a lump in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous. If detected early on, recovery is more likely.

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