Fibrocystic breast disease

Alternative names:

benign breast disease; chronic cystic mastitis; mammary dysplasia

Treatment:

Self care may include restricting dietary fat to approximately 25% of the total daily calorie intake and eliminating caffeine intake.

Performing a breast self examination monthly, and wearing an adequate bra to provide good breast support are important.

The effectiveness of vitamin E, vitamin B6, and herbal preparations such as evening primrose oil are somewhat controversial. Discuss their use with your health care provider.

Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they often decrease the symptoms. Danazol, a synthetic androgen, may be used in severe cases when the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential adverse effects.

Expectations (prognosis):

If dietary changes decrease the symptoms, and are maintained, the benefit most likely will persist. A combination of treatment and use of medications may be necessary to obtain relief for severe cases.

Complications:

Because fibrocystic changes may make breast examination and mammography more difficult to interpret, early cancerous lesions maybe occasionally be overlooked.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if unilateral (one-sided), new, unusual, or changing lumps are noted in breast tissue.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are a woman, 20 years or older, who has never been taught or does not currently know how to perform breast self examination; or if you are a woman, age 40 years or older, who has not had a screening mammogram.

Picture:
P0079.pctBreast self examination
P0077.pctBreast, female