1. What is PASH (pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia)?
PASH is a benign (not cancer) breast condition. It normally feels like a painless lump or thickening in the breast.
PASH is an overgrowth of connective tissue and smooth muscle cells in the breast. It’s thought it might be linked to hormone changes in the body.
Having PASH does not increase your risk of breast cancer.
2. Symptoms of PASH
PASH usually feels like a painless lump or thickening in the breast.
Although it’s usually painless, you may have some pain or tenderness, particularly if the PASH is large.
More often PASH is found by chance during routine breast screening or investigations for another breast change.
3. Who PASH affects
PASH is more common in women who still have periods (premenopausal women).
However, it can affect women at any age.
Men can also get PASH, but this is rare.
4. Diagnosis
PASH is diagnosed using a range of tests. These may include:
- A
- An
- A core biopsy (several tissue samples may be taken at the same time)
Mammogram and breast ultrasound
Learn about breast x-rays (mammograms), breast ultrasound and other types of imaging used to detect breast changes, and what to expect at yo...
5. Treatment and follow-up
In most cases, you won’t need any treatment or follow-up if you have PASH.
If you have a lump that gets bigger or you notice a change, it’s important to see your GP. They may refer you back to the breast clinic.
If the area of PASH is painful, you may find it helpful to take pain relief such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medication (if you can take these). Your GP can also explain what pain relief to take.
If the area of PASH is large, gets bigger or has any uncertain features, you may need a small operation to remove it. This is called an excision biopsy and is done under general anaesthetic (medicine to make you sleep).
However, you will not usually need surgery for PASH.
6. Does PASH increase my risk of breast cancer?
Having PASH does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
But it’s still important to be breast aware and go back to your GP if you notice any changes in your breasts, no matter how soon after your diagnosis of PASH.
