Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Painful lumps in the breasts caused by swelling of the breast lobules and milk glands producing excess fibrous tissue

Question 2

What causes it?

Answer 2

Reactions to a change in hormone levels released from the ovaries generally before menstruation

Question 3

Is it dangerous?

Answer 3

No, it is a benign condition but it can make it harder to detect malignant changes

Question 4

Anything that makes it better? (2)

Answer 4

The oral contraceptive pill, and typically improves after the menopause when levels of ovarian hormones have decreased

Question 5

Anything that makes it worse?

Answer 5

HRT (replaces the hormone that causes the changes)

Question 6

Is it common?

Answer 6

Yes very, over 50% of women will develop fibrocystic changes in their lifetime

Question 7

When does it occur?

Answer 7

Between the ages of 30 and 50

Question 8

Symptoms (3)

Answer 8

Swelling, tenderness, green/brown discharge from the nipple

Question 9

Signs (2)

Answer 9

Thickening of the breast tissue, lumps in one or both breasts

Question 10

Investigations (4)

Answer 10

Physical Breast exam, mammogram, MRI, biopsy

Question 11

First Line treatment

Answer 11

Analgesia (paracetamol and ibuprofen)

Question 12

Other treatments

Answer 12

Supportive bras, warm/cold compresses, Oral Contraceptive Pill