Getting to understand and know your breasts is an important part of a balanced health routine. This is why it makes sense to honor them every day with a loving self-massage instead of just “looking for lumps” once a month.

Breasts are sensitive to hormonal changes, and nonmalignant lumps or thickening often go away over time. Breast lumps are common for women in their 40s when hormones are changing. Premenstrual swelling may be normal, or it may be an indicator of impaired thyroid function.

Cysts are fluid-filled and can change their shape and size and move freely all over the breast surface. This proves they are benign because free movement is not found in the case of cancerous lumps. Cysts are more profoundly seen near the upper and outer region of the breast or closer to the armpit. Large fluid-filled cysts of fibrous lumps, while non-cancerous, can reflect overexposure to harmful chemicals and toxic build-up combined with poor lymph flow. Lumpy, bumpy breasts most likely contain too many toxins, and those toxins are primarily estrogenic.

When there is too much estrogen in relationship to progesterone and other hormones, it causes an imbalance. Breast pain or hot flashes may be symptoms. Pills with hormones such as birth control or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have either estrogen or progesterone or both. They may not be exactly right for a particular woman, or she may react to the additives or synthetics in the pill. Side effects of synthetic estrogens may damage the DNA and cause mutations. Hormone levels can be easily checked with a saliva test.

Breast cysts that are fluid-filled are diagnosed by placing a needle in them under local anesthetic and aspirating the contents. Sometimes, an ultrasound is necessary to determine if it is a cyst or a solid lump. A cyst will disappear following an aspiration and no further treatment is necessary. If the ultrasound shows a simple cyst and the woman does not want a needle stuck into her breast, the cyst can be watched with repeated exams. Most cysts disappear with menopause. Changes in diet and a simple, loving breast self-massage will help greatly.

Many women are not sure what they are supposed to feel when they do the breast exam. There may be lumps and tenderness causing confusion. This is why it is important to get to know your breasts and practice the lymphatic breast self-massage daily to let go of tension and get in touch with your body.

Joyce Sobotta is a certified aromatherapist and certified reflexologist, and founder of Healthy Girls Breast Oil an exclusive essential oil blend she created. Sobotta is available for consultations for natural health and loves to create essential oil custom blends for her clients. For more information, visit AromatherapyNaturesWay.com.