Fibrocystic breast is a change, not a disease. It is the most common condition among the benign diseases of the breast. Women between the ages of 20-50 are most often affected. There may be more than one mass in both breasts. Women with fibrocystic changes may feel pain, tenderness, fullness and mass in the breast. These complaints may increase before menstruation. If this condition is known and followed up by a physician, there is no need to worry.
Fibrocystic changes include solid masses as well as micro and macrocysts. In fact, other histopathological findings such as adenosis, hyperplasia with or without atypia, apocrine metaplasia, and papilloma may accompany.
The exact cause of fibrocystic changes is unknown. Hormones that fluctuate during the menstrual cycle are responsible for fibrocystic changes. In hormonal imbalances, especially estrogen weight plays an important role. Bacterial infections in the milk ducts can also cause duct obstructions and mass formations from time to time. When the menstrual cycle is completed, the complaints decrease. After menopause, the complaints stop spontaneously. However, a physician’s examination is required for new masses formed in this process. Masses formed in fibrocystic changes should be differentiated from breast cancer by physical examination, breast ultrasonography and, if necessary, mammography.
For many years, it has been discussed whether fibrocystic changes are a risk factor for the development of cancer. The problem with fibrocystic changes is that they hide the development of cancer. In other words, the fibrocystic change itself does not turn into cancer, it only makes it difficult to detect the formation of cancer. Due to the masking effect, breasts with fibrocystic changes should be followed up in more detail. Masses suspected in mammography and ultrasonography follow-ups are diagnosed by biopsy. We examine the biopsy results in 3 groups: masses that do not tend to grow, masses that contain normal cells with a tendency to grow, and masses that contain atypical cells with a tendency to grow. The third group is the group that should be followed more sensitively. The follow-up plan changes, especially if there is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Treatment
Fibrocystic change usually does not require treatment. Coarse needle biopsy can be performed when necessary to differentiate masses from cancer. In cases where the biopsy report is suspicious, open biopsy may be required from the mass. After differentiation from cancer, only follow-up is sufficient.
Some recommendations can be made for painful fibrocystic disease. You should evaluate these options together with your doctor according to your examination results.
Recommendations for reducing breast pain can be listed as follows:
• To reduce or cut out caffeinated products (coffee, tea, chocolate)
• To reduce the amount of fat in our daily diet
• Avoiding estrogen-rich nutritional products
• Taking oral pain relievers (paracetamol or anti-inflammatory analgesics)
• Massaging the breast skin with pain relief gels
• Twice daily massage with evening primrose oil do (for 3 months)
• Vitamin B6, vitamin E, Taking vitamin B complex and magnesium supplements
• Massaging twice a day with natural progesterone creams (for 3 months)
• Choosing the appropriate bra size: avoiding tight or small-cup size bras
• Soft in the evenings sports bras can make night sleep more comfortable.