Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Identifying fibrocystic lumps

Despite the name, fibrocystic breast disease is actually a non-dangerous condition in which a woman’s breasts tend to have harmless lumps. These fibrocystic lumps are not cancerous and do not increase a woman’s risk of cancer, but they may be uncomfortable. Medical professionals also call this condition fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic changes.

Some women experience no adverse symptoms. Others deal with pain in the breast or underarm, swelling, tenderness or a green or dark brown discharge from the nipple.

Your doctor will need to perform an exam or order a diagnostic test to determine if your lumps are fibrocystic.

Fibrocystic breasts are believed to be caused by hormones created in the ovaries, primarily estrogen. There are no cures, but many women find relief in over-the-counter pain medications, hot or cold compresses and properly fitted bras.

With fibrocystic breasts, women may find that their lumps fluctuate in size and placement, which is not unusual or concerning. Fibrocystic breasts affect half of all women between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms usually disappear after menopause.

If you have fibrocystic breasts, it is important to have regular mammograms so your doctor can monitor any new lumps.