Fibrocystic Breast Disease
No treatment is necessary. If you haven’t reached menopause, your doctor may recommend closely monitoring.
To minimize discomfort associated with FCBD, you might try these measures:
· Wear a well-fitted, supportive bra. If you have breast pain from a breast cyst, good support to surrounding breast tissue may help relieve some discomfort.
· Avoid caffeine. There’s no scientific proof that caffeine consumption is linked to breast cysts. However, some women find relief from their symptoms after eliminating caffeine from their diets. Consider reducing or eliminating caffeine – in beverages, as well as in foods such as chocolate – to see if your symptoms improve.
· Reduce salt in your diet. Although studies on salt restriction and cyst formation aren’t conclusive, some experts suggest that reducing salt in your diet may help. Consuming less sodium reduces the amount of excess fluid retained by your body, which in turn may help relieve symptoms associated with a fluid-filled breast cyst.
· Consider trying over-the-counter pain medications if your doctor recommends them. Some types of breast pain may be eased by the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
o Alternative medicine
o Evening primrose oil is a fatty acid (linoleic acid) supplement that’s available over-the-counter. A few small studies suggest that evening primrose oil may help minimize menstrual cycle breast pain, sometimes associated with breast cysts. But evidence isn’t conclusive, and more research is needed. Although the exact mechanism isn’t clear, some experts believe that women deficient in linoleic acid are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, resulting in breast pain.
o Your cyst or lump needs medical evaluation to be sure it’s not cancer, so follow your doctor’s recommendations. Let your doctor know if you’re taking any vitamins, herbal remedies or other dietary supplements.