To ease the concerns of women with fibrocystic breast disease, researchers are trying to learn more about why these benign lumps develop and what sets them apart from cancerous lesions. Eliminating caffeine-containing substances, such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate, from their diets may help women who have painful, lumpy breasts. But, depending on the location, composition and size of the lump, additional tests may be needed to obtain a diagnosis. Because the appearance of fibrocystic breast disease can overlap with breast cancer, physicians routinely perform fine needle aspirations and biopsies as well to conclusively tell the difference. Fine needle aspiration involves inserting a needle into the breast to draw up fluid or tissue for further study.
Biopsies remove a portion or the entire breast lump as both a diagnostic and treatment measure.
Women complaining of painful, lumpy breasts may be helped by eliminating caffeine-containing substances, such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate, from their diets. These substances, known collectively as methylxan-thines, may encourage the formation of fibrous tissue in the breast and cyst fluid. And because the female hormone estrogen plays a role in the development of fibrocystic breast disease, we prescribe low doses of birth control pills and estrogen-blocking drugs like danocrine to reduce estrogen levels. Both drugs help relieve breast tenderness and nodularity. While the exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes is unknown, there is both a genetic and hormonal component.