Formerly known as fibrocystic breast disease, fibrocystic breast changes--or benign breast disease--is a widespread noncancerous condition in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Symptoms include lumpy or painful breasts, cysts and sensitive nipples. According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms may vary during the menstrual cycle and typically subside after menopause.
Cause
The fluctuation of female hormones estrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle cause fibrocystic breast changes. Once stimulated, these hormones cause both connective and glandular breast tissue to expand and retain fluid. Some women endure moderately swollen breasts, while others have extremely sensitive and tender breasts. The severity of symptoms depends on the individual. Typically, fibrocystic change is a bilateral condition, meaning that it affects both breasts.
Risk of Cancer
The few fibrocystic changes that may pose a slight risk of cancer include papilloma, or tentacle-like tumors that grow in cells lining the breast duct; moderate or severe hyperplasia, or proliferation of cells that line the duct; complex fibroadenoma, or formation of a harmless tumor by the breast's connective tissue and cells lining the duct; and sclerosing adenosis, or a multiplication of milk glands that produces scar tissue and distorts cell arrangement.
Due to their density, fibrocystic changes may resemble cancer on mammograms. Doctors may recommend biopsies.
Vulnerable Groups
Women whose menstrual cycles begin at a young age or bear their first child after age 30 face a higher risk of fibrocystic breast changes. Women who have never given birth may also be at risk, according to Merck. In general, women who use birth control experience fewer symptoms, while women on hormone replacement therapy encounter more symptoms.
Treatment
As of 2010, there was no evidence that high-fat diets, chocolate or caffeine cause fibrocystic breast changes. However, women lowering their intake of soft drinks, coffee, tea and chocolate may retain less fluid and thereby alleviate breast pain from swelling. According to Medline, no studies have yet shown that supplements such as thiamine, vitamin E and evening primrose oil help treat fibrocystic breast changes. Although hormones and birth control medications have been used to address fibrocystic changes, their effectiveness as treatments has not been consistent, and they may cause unwanted side effects.
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