The breast is made of glandular tissue, fatty tissue and connective tissue. The two structures that matter most for breast cancer are the lobules — the glands that produce milk — and the ducts, the thin tubes that carry milk to the nipple.
The key parts of the breast
- Lobules: the glands that produce milk
- Ducts: the tubes that carry milk to the nipple
- Fatty and fibrous tissue: the surrounding supporting tissue
- Lymph nodes: small filters under the arm and in the chest
- Blood and lymph vessels: pathways for fluids and, rarely, for spread
Breasts change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. As a result, mild tenderness or lumpiness can be perfectly normal — but a new, persistent change always deserves to be shown to a doctor.