Fibrocystic breast disease is actually a common phrase used to describe painful lumpy breasts. Rather than calling it a disease many health care professionals will refer to it as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition. They have stopped calling it a disease because people thought that there was something wrong with them and it is more of a condition. This can occur both in males and females. It primarily occurs in females and it is thought that it affects up to 60% of women. It is not cancerous; this is what is referred to as benign. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 are the most commonly affected.
Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include pain or discomfort in the breasts. You may or may not have lumps present. The breasts may feel heavy or full. There may be pain that radiates from the breasts and radiates towards the arm pit area. It can occur in just one breast or both breasts. You many have a “congested’ type of feeling. Typically nipple discharge is not a symptom and nipple discharge is a reason to see a physician.
Causes of the condition include caffeine intake. Some studies say it makes an existing condition worse and some say that caffeine intake has nothing to do with it. It has been shown that limiting or cutting out caffeine has decreased the symptoms. The main cause in females is due to hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause breast cells to grow and multiple. There are other hormones that affect breast tissue also. They include: prolactin, growth factor, insulin, and thyroid hormones. Women on hormone replacement therapy may have an increase in symptoms of fibrocystic breasts. Fat intake is also being looked at as a cause.
The main problem with the fibrocystic breasts is the threat of breast cancer. Many women will feel a lump and become very concerned that they have cancer. It is important to be evaluated by a physician if you feel any unusual lumps. Be very careful not to self-diagnose. Actually, the fibrocystic breast can make breast cancer difficult to detect. If a woman’s breasts are fibrocystic, diagnostic tests in addition to a screen mammography may be necessary in order to rule out an underlying breast cancer.
Fibrocystic breast condition is diagnosed with a physical exam performed by a physician, in addition to important information gathering with menstrual cycle history. Most women tend to have an increasing amount of symptoms at the onset of their period and then symptoms decrease afterwards.
Treatment for fibrocystic breast condition include: use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, increased intake of vitamin C and E, and decreasing caffeine and fat intake. A supportive bra will help some. Some women who have irregular menstrual cycles are helped with the use of oral contraceptives. For women who have had hysterectomies, a break from their hormone therapy may be indicated, this is usually only for a few days each month.
This is very common. Personally, I have seen both males and females with this condition and I even have an aunt that is 4 years older than me with the condition. My aunt went so far as to having one of her lumps biopsied. If you feel lumps that aren’t usually there and are concerning please seek medical attention. This is not an emergency and doesn’t require an emergency room but it does require a visit to your OB/GYN or your MD, especially if you are having any nipple discharge.
When a woman finds a lump in her breast this is an especially scary time. It may just be a fibrocystic condition but it needs to be evaluated.