What is the cause of fibrocystic breast‘s changes?

What is the cause of fibrocystic breast‘s changes? Fibrosis refers to the thickening of breast tissue and does not increase the risk of breast cancer in patients. Usually no treatment is required.

Breast fibrocystic degeneration occurs when women form fluid-filled cysts and fibrotic areas in one or both breasts. Fibrosis refers to the thickening of breast tissue that doctors feel through the skin. It can be a bit hard, sticky or rubbery. Fibrosis can also occur on its own without forming any cysts.

Fibrocystic breast changes are routine, they do not require treatment, and they do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Fibrocystic breast changes are common, and about half of women will get the disease at some point in their lives. These changes usually occur in premenopausal women and are affected by changes in hormone levels. You may notice that your symptoms become severe before the onset of menstruation. In addition to lumps and swelling in one or both breasts, you may experience pain, tenderness, or nipple discharge.

Fibrocystic breast changes can usually be diagnosed by clinical breast examination and symptom history. Your doctor can also use imaging tests such as mammograms and ultrasounds to examine the breasts. In rare cases, individual cysts may require ultrasound examination, some may require emptying and may require biopsy. Learn more about breast cysts.

If you have troublesome symptoms, the following strategies may help:

Use over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen (trade name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (trade name: Advil, Motrin), read the instructions and consult a doctor to ensure that you take it safely.

When the pain is severe, apply a warm or cool dressing to the breast.

Wear a comfortable support bra (such as a cotton sports bra).

Avoid large amounts of caffeine, salt or fat in your diet. Some women find that these can worsen symptoms.

Ask the doctor to drain a very large cyst that is causing pain.

Start taking oral contraceptives, or if you have already taken an oral contraceptive (changes in hormone levels may help some women).

But if clinical symptoms affect your quality of life, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

(source:chinanet, reference only)

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