Fibrocystic breast is a condition when non cancerous cyst or lump like mass develops on breast. This might affect one or both breasts at the same time. Though this condition is not that serious but it is quite painful to have such abnormal nodular masses on breasts.
This condition is prevalent among 30-60% of women all over the world who fall in an age bracket of 30-50 years. Fibrocystic breast condition is correlated with hormonal fluctuation and is mostly experienced before and during menstruation. So, one should not misunderstand these lumps or cysts as cancerous outgrowth as fibrocystic lumps are benign in nature. Appearance of these cysts does not increase the chance of breast cancer in a woman by any means.
Why This Happened?
A large portion of breast is composed of tiny glandular breast tissue meant for milk secretion. During the onset of menstrual period the level of estrogen and progesterone fluctuates dramatically that cause the breast tissues swell enormously.The swollen tissues retain fluid and get blocked to appear as balloon like painful masses called cysts. The condition might get resolved after the menstruation, when breast returns to their normal position. They are also more commonly found in case of women wearing tight and improper under garments.
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How Do They Feel Like?
The size of cysts vary from individual to individual. When sometimes they feel like bead shaped masses scattered all over the breast surface at other times they are slightly bigger.They can change their shape, size and move freely all over.
What are the General Signs, Symptoms and Risk of Fibrocystic Breast?
The first symptom is overall swelling of the breast with a feeling of heaviness in it. Appearance of fibrous tissues is common along with lump or nodular masses on the breast surface. They are of different sizes.
They are more profoundly seen near the upper and outer region of the breast rather than the lower region, for example area close to the armpit.
The tender lumpy mass might found alone or in multiple numbers at one place. Sometimes they are so small that they cannot be felt but in other case they might extend up to a few inches in diameter, which is rare. On touching these lumps, they may feel like tender or rubber like mass either solid or fluid filled.
Fibrocystic breast condition can lead to relentless or sporadic pain in the breast, along with discomfort, which is very pathetic.
The symptom of fibrocystic breast is closely associated with hormonal fluctuation during menstruation, when symptoms become more severe. In most cases condition returns to normal after the period is over.
These tender cysts or lumps are movable that means they tend to change their place and move freely over the breast which proves that they are benign in nature because free movement is not found in case of cancerous lumps.
Thickening of breast skin is also seen commonly. Some women with fibrocystic breast also complain of nipple discharge which is rare. This condition is sometimes hereditary in nature so those women who have a family history of this problem should remain more vigilant.
Breast self examination, mammogram and ultrasonograph are some of the effective methods to diagnose these problem which also rule out any chances of their malignancy.
