What is fibrocystic breast disease?

Fibrocystic breast disease is a benign, or noncancerous, condition that occurs in women and is characterized by painful lumps in the breasts. More than half of women get fibrocystic breast disease at some point in their lives. For this reason, the condition is now more often called fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic breast changes instead of fibrocystic breast disease. The condition is basically harmless, but may cause some discomfort. Regardless of this, women should always have their breasts examined for any changes they experience in their breasts. About 60 percent of women have some fibrocystic changes. However, most cases are mild.

While fibrocystic breasts may occur as a natural part of the aging process, women may experience tenderness, pain, and lumpiness in their breasts especially in the upper, outer area of the breasts. The symptoms are often most noticeable just before a woman gets her period, or is having a menstrual cycle. If pain or a lump is felt in a certain area, especially if it continues after your period, it is important to get checked out by your doctor.

Fibrocystic breast are most common among women between the ages of 20 to 50. It is much rarer for postmenopausal women to develop fibrocystic breasts unless they are on hormone therapy. The signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue, generalized breast pain or tenderness, fluctuating size of breast lumps, green or dark brown non-bloody nipple discharge that tends to leak without pressure or squeezing, changes that occur in both breasts, rather than just one, or monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from ovulation to just before your period.

Your doctor will perform a series of tests or procedures to diagnose fibrocystic breasts. These may include:

·         Clinical breast exam: Physical examination to check for unusual areas of the breasts and the lymph nodes located in the lower neck and underarm area.

·         Mammogram: This is done if a breast lump or unusual thickening in your breast tissue is identified.

·         Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce images of the breasts to get a more accurate picture of a suspicious area.

·         Fine-needle aspiration: If a lump is detected that may be a cyst, this may be done to see if fluid can be withdrawn from the lump.

·         Breast biopsy: Removes a small sample of breast tissue for analysis.