BENIGN BREAST CONDITIONS

posted by admin in Women's Health

Fibrocystic disease. Also known as fibroadenosis, and sometimes referred to as mammary dysplasia, this is a common condition. It presents usually in women aged between 20 and 45 as breast pain and tenderness (mastalgia), usually with a feeling of swelling and congestion. Even though it will usually be felt in both breasts, it may be more marked in one, or even in a segment of one breast. The affected breast feels tense, tender and generally more lumpy. There may be swollen breast tissue, even with small cysts within it. Often areas which feel thicker and lumpier before a period will return to normal after a period. Doctors examining the breasts will sometimes ask a woman to have another examination later to see if this has happened. It is essential that the breasts are checked for discrete lumps. Localised abnormalities, like lumps, would require further investigation and treatment.

An important distinguishing feature of fibroadenosis is that it is usually related to the menstrual cycle. It will tend to be more noticeable in the week or so before the start of the period, and there is usually some relief with the onset of the period. Some women, however, have such severe symptoms that the cyclical nature of the problem is less easily recognized. The condition can be quite debilitating, interfering with normal activities including sleep, having sex, lifting and handling children, etc.

Fibroadenosis is thought to be an exaggeration of the ‘normal’ hormonal responses of breast tissue, and has been called by some researchers ‘aberrations of normal development and involution’ (ANDI). It seems likely that several hormones (significantly oestrogen and progesterone) as well as other non-hormone factors may play a part in the development of this condition.

Some of the non-hormone factors which have been suggested include caffeine, smoking, tyramine and emotional and physical stress. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. Studies have shown that excluding coffee can be of great benefit to women who have this condition. The effect is improved further by cutting out smoking as well. Tyramine is a compound found in aged cheese, wine, mushrooms and some processed meats. It may be worth excluding in some cases. Emotional and physical stress—well, we all know how easy it is to avoid them! It is worth trying, not only for breast problems, but for your general well-being.

These lifestyle changes will help many women who suffer from this cyclical breast problem. The addition of supportive bras, and avoiding physical handling or trauma to the breasts when they are more sensitive may help. In a very few women, other treatment will be necessary.

If there are no suspicious areas in the breast which need specific investigation and treatment, and other methods of treatment have not helped, medication may be considered. Some women find benefit from vitamin B1 and B6 supplements, or evening primrose oil. Fluid tablets or hormone tablets may occasionally be prescribed for women with severe persistent symptoms.

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