Fibrocystic mammae: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is fibrocystic mammae?

Fibrocystic breast or fibrocystic breast is tissue that feels rubbery or like a collection of cords. Doctors refer to it as nodular or glandular breast tissue.

Fibrocystic breasts are not dangerous, but can be annoying for some women. Fibrocystic breasts can also spread throughout the breast, in only one area, or form one or more lumps.

How common is this condition?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic page, more than half of women have fibrocystic breasts. However, most of them did not show any symptoms.

This condition often occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Women under 21 years have only about a 10 percent risk.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breast cancer?

Nearly half of women who have fibrocystic breasts do not have any symptoms. Symptoms usually appear at a moderate to more severe stage.

Common symptoms of fibrocystic mammary are:

• Pain
• Swollen
• When touched, the breast feels lumpy, dense, tight (tense) and looks fuller

You may feel a swelling or lump in one breast or both. Usually symptoms will appear several weeks before menstruation due to hormonal changes. However, you may also experience symptoms for a whole month.

It should be understood that the lump on the fibrocystic breast tends to change in size and is usually movable. You may also feel pain under your arm.

Some women's nipples have dark brown or greenish discharge from their nipples. Immediately see a doctor if your nipples are red or clear, because this could be a sign of breast cancer.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Contact a doctor if symptoms are listed above. If you notice any other strange symptoms such as a new breast lump or thickened area or feel something unusual when doing a breast self-exam, then go to your doctor to be examined with the most accurate results.

The following are signs you should contact your doctor immediately:

• You may find a new lump in the breast or a lump that is older that feels thicker.
• You feel pain in an area of ​​the breast that is persistent or gets more painful over time.
• Breast changes persist even after the menstrual cycle has ended.
• The doctor has checked the lump, but it is getting bigger or has changes.

Cause

What causes fibrocystic breast?

The exact cause of breast fibrocystic is unknown. However, experts suspect this condition occurs due to reproductive hormones, especially estrogen. Several diseases related to the breast are caused by the hormone estrogen.

Hormone levels that rise and fall during the menstrual cycle can cause your breasts to feel uncomfortable. At that time, your breasts may also feel supple, sore, and swollen.

However, fibrocystic breasts tend to be more annoying before your menstrual cycle arrives. The pain and paralysis also tend to go away or lessen once your menstrual period begins.

When viewed under a microscope, the fibrocystic breast tissue includes several different things, such as:

• Round or oval fluid-filled sac (cyst)
• Fibrous tissue such as scar tissue (fibrosis)
• Overgrowth of cells (hyperplasia) that line the milk ducts or milk-producing tissue (lobules) of the breast
• Enlarged breast lobules (adenosis).

Having fibrocystic breasts does not increase your risk of developing cancer.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing fibrocystic breast changes?

Some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing this condition include:

• Women aged between 20-45 years are at high risk of developing this disease.
• Use of drugs containing estrogen.
• Some women find that eating chocolate, drinking caffeine, or eating a high-fat diet causes symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence of this yet.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for fibrocystic breast?

Common treatment for most women, namely wearing a bra at day and night during the treatment period. You are also advised to use painkillers, such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Other treatment options include:

• Reducing caffeine (in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) because caffeine is one of the triggers for breast problems.
• Cut back on fatty foods, use a heat pad or hot water bottle
• Vitamins and herbal supplements can also use cold or ice packs
• Perform breast self-examination (BSE) every month to be able to detect any abnormal symptoms.

Your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers, diuretics, or use hormones (such as birth control pills) for more serious cases. Sometimes, doctors can treat cystic fibrosis in a clinic by using an injection.

If the tumor does not completely disappear, the doctor can perform a biopsy to see if the tumor has become cancerous.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

Doctors diagnose based on symptoms and clinical examination. Your doctor may ask you to do the following tests:

Clinical breast examination

The doctor will examine unusual areas of the breast and lymph nodes located in your lower neck and armpits. If the results are normal, you may not need additional tests.

If the doctor finds a new lump and suspects that the breast is fibrocystic, you will be checked a few weeks later, after your menstrual period. If the changes persist, you may need to have a mammogram or ultrasound.

Mammogram

If your doctor finds a lump or thickening that protrudes from the breast tissue, you will need a mammogram.

Ultrasound

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the breast. This procedure is done at the same time as a mammogram.

If you are less than 30 years old, you may need to have an ultrasound instead of a mammogram. Ultrasound is better for examining dense breast tissue in young women.

Aspiration of a fine needle

For a breast lump that feels a lot like a cyst, your doctor may try a fine needle aspiration to see if fluid can be drawn from the lump. This procedure can destroy the cyst and relieve discomfort.

Breast biopsy

If the results of the mammogram and ultrasound are normal, but your doctor is still concerned, you may be referred to a breast surgeon to determine if you need a breast biopsy.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for fibrocystic breast changes?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with fibrocystic breast changes:

• Perform regular breast self-exams every month to find out normal breast density.
• Contact your doctor if you have symptoms or feel anything different during breast self-examination.
• Wear a bra that fits properly, especially when on the move.
• Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs.
• Reducing caffeine (in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate)
• Reducing fatty foods.
• Use a heat pad or hot water bottle.
• Routinely carry out breast self-exams every month to be able to detect any abnormal symptoms.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.