Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic breast disease is a non-threatening disorder that makes the breasts feel lumbering. It is also also known as fibrocystic change or fibrocystic breasts. It’s not dangerous or harmful, but women feel uncomfortable due to it.

Many women with fibrocystic breast disease do not have any associated symptoms. However, fibrocystic breast disease can make it highly challenging to detect breast cancer during mammography for breast cancer. 

Fibrocystic breast disease results from the breast tissue changes that occur due to the hormones produced by the ovaries. It can lead to swelling or painful lumps in the breast. In addition, some might face tenderness in the outer area. 

The health statistics indicate that fibrocystic breast disease is common as more than half of women experience it at some stage of life. Most health practitioners use fibrocystic breast changes in place of fibrocystic breast disease as they do not consider it an illness. It’s normal.

According to WHO, the reports indicated 2.3 million women with breast cancer in 2020. In addition, it led to 685,000 demises. In the past five years, 7.8 million women have reportedly been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Breast cancer has become one of the most predominant cancers in the realm. Moreover, breast cancer in women is increasing due to many reasons. Hence, health practitioners are constantly highlighting the importance of mammography screening and digital mammography. 

What are the Indications of Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

Women with fibrocystic breast disease should conduct a self-analysis. Ensuring breast health is essential, which requires understanding the texture of breasts. If there are any abnormalities or changes, they must be able to identify them. If you feel any difference, consult your physician immediately. 

A few of the common signs of fibrocystic breast disease are:

• Lumps on the breast fluctuate in size. 
• Thickening of the breast tissues. 
• Breast tenderness and pain. 
• Increase in breast pain every month. 
• Similar changes in both breasts. 
• Dark brown or green discharge from the breasts. 

Fibrocystic breast disease commonly occurs in women in their 30s to early 50s. According to your symptoms, the physician will suggest you an ultrasound test or a normal chest x-ray. Women with fibrocystic breasts have more visible alterations as a result of hormones. 

Any woman can get fibrocystic breast disease. Consultants state that the use of birth control drugs can lessen warning signs. But, on the contrary, hormone therapy will increase symptoms. 

Opposing to what individuals believe, fibrocystic breast disease does not upsurge the threat of emerging breast cancer. However, fibrocystic changes can assess and detect breast cancer in women during the ultrasound scan and other imaging tests. 

Some women might face changes like swelling and lumps on one breast only. However, hormonal changes can result in affecting your symptoms. These lumps are usually movable, and a woman can feel them throughout the month. In some cases, women also experience pain under their arms. 

What are the Reasons FOR Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

Do you know that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, surpassing lung cancer in 2020? It’s more common in American women. The figures also indicate that it has become a main source of death in less developed countries and the second principal reason in American women. 

The source of fibrocystic breast disease is not recognized until now. However, health experts believe that the hormones produced by the ovaries play a major role in this process. The reproductive hormone like estrogen is a primary reason. 

Other than this, the constant fluctuation in hormone levels results in fibrocystic breast disease. 

The doctors diagnose breast disease through a physical breast exam. However, if the symptoms are prominent, they might ask the patient to undergo diagnostic imaging tests. 

Mammography for breast cancer is used for the evaluation. In the case of an abnormal mammogram, the GP might ask for additional screening assessments for validation. The overall treatment relies on the diagnosis and confirmation. 

Don’t Miss the Ways to Diagnose Fibrocystic Breast Disease

If any change in the breasts, it’s essential to consult a doctor without any delay. The doctor is more likely to suggest some diagnostic tests that include:

• Digital Mammography.
• Normal chest x-ray.
• Ultrasound test.
• Mammography screening. 

Doctors recommend tests after a physical examination of the breasts. These methods help in ensuring that whether the growth is benign or cancerous. Most commonly, an ultrasound scan is enough to assess the condition of mass. However, in some cases, the doctors also perform a biopsy to confirm the assessment. 

If it’s not cancerous, the treatment is not needed. However, if the woman is suffering pain or discomfort, the doctors might suggest some medications and changes in lifestyle. On the other hand, the doctors start planning treatments immediately and ask the patients to connect with a cancer specialist if it’s cancerous. 

In any case, breast health is vital for the overall health of the body of a woman. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to abnormalities, lumps, or other changes that might or might not cause pain or discomfort. 

Ways to Avoid Fibrocystic Breast Disease

All over the world, different diagnostic tests are helpful for breast exams. It helps assess breast health as we all know that it’s essential to know breasts and their related diseases. If you experience any symptoms like lumps or painful cysts, you need to consult a doctor immediately. 

The doctors recommend some changes in lifestyle and home remedies in the early stage of life to help avoid breast disease. Some of these are:

• Limit the consumption of caffeine. 
• Stopping or reducing taking any hormone therapy. 
• Use a warm water bottle or a heating pad if you feel any pain or discomfort. 
• Eat less fat. 
• Monthly breast exams (self-assessments). 

Along with this, health practitioners also recommend the intake of vitamins and dietary supplements. These can reduce the symptoms and severity in most cases. For example, Vitamin E reduces breast pain. Likewise, primrose oil copes with the modifications in the stability of fatty acids in your cells. 

It’s better to consult a physician immediately if any signs or symptoms are visible. 

Final Thoughts

Fibrocystic breast disease is a non-cancerous condition that’s common among pre-menopausal women. As a result of this condition, the women experience changes and cysts or lumps in their breasts. It can be painful or painless. In both cases, it’s not something a woman can neglect. 

The hormonal changes in the body lead to breast disease—however, it’s not the only cause. The signs and symptoms are prevalent. Hence, if you feel any change in your breasts, it’s strongly recommended to visit your physician immediately. 

Some preventive measures and home remedies, as mentioned above, can help in maintaining breast health. Most doctors claim that fibrocystic breast disease is not a disorder. It’s a condition that’s normal. 

However, it’s essential to carry out some imaging tests like a normal chest x-ray, an ultrasound scan, or digital mammography to evaluate the condition of the breast. It can help diagnose breast cancer in women, which has become a predominant form of cancer.