Breast lumps fall into two categories:  benign lumps or cysts, and malignant tumours.  Majority of breast lumps are benign or non-cancerous.  There are many different types of benign breast lump, but most of them will be:

Cysts – Fluid that build up in breast tissue

Fibroadenomas – Solid growths made up of fibrous and glandular tissue

Breast Abscess (Mastitis) – Inflammation of breast tissue 

Although benign breast conditions are not breast cancer, some types (especially those with abnormal-looking cells, such as atypical hyperplasia) do increase the risk of breast cancer if the patient has a history of breast cancer in the family.  Dr. Zhu, our senior physician pointed out that TCM has a long history of treating in and preventing breast lumps.    

Malignant breast tumor (breast cancer) is a cancerous, hard, stony lump or mass in the breast.  Dr. Zhu explained that the combine approach of conventional treatments (include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone-blocking drugs) and TCM therapy (herbal remedies, acupuncture and nutrition counselling) have gained acceptance worldwide in recent years.  

TCM treatment includes removing toxins that may contribute to cancer, increasing the flow of blood and qi, removing undesirable accumulations of tissue that are the tumor, and restoring self-regulation and balance of the body.  Dr. Zhu stressed that it is important to have TCM treatments done by a trained qualify physician.