Breast Cysts are Scary, but There are Things to Do About Them

More common than breast cancer is fibrocystic breast disease. At some point during our lives as women at least 70 percent of us develop the fluid filled, tender and even painful lumps in our breasts that characterize this condition.

THE CAUSE OF BREAST CYSTS

Just prior to menstruation and during ovulation and fluctuating hormone levels can cause breast cells to retain fluid resulting in cysts.

ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

An imbalance of estrogen and progesterone also appear to promote cyst development. Doctors are not sure how or even why this happens.

In some cases, cysts are linked to abnormally high levels of estrogen. Which in turn is usually caused by eating too much fat? On the other hand, some women have been known to develop breast cysts despite having normal estrogen levels. The good news is the lumps usually disappear following menopause.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CYST AND A TUMOR

Typically cysts feel like a group of peas or grapes just under the skin. A lump that is painful is usually just a cyst. Lumps that aren't tender are generally cancerous.

ARE BREAST CYST AND BREAST CANCER RELATED?

There are several studies that have been completed in the early seventies that indicated that breast cancer is slightly more prevalent among woman that tend to have cyst in their breast. However, since the seventies medicine has come along way. The National Cancer Institute has proven that the vast majority of Fibrocystic Breast Disease diagnoses did not in fact involve an increased risk of cancer, with the exception of one percent of woman with Fibrocystic Breast have ductal atypical. Such abnormalities in breast cells often turn cancerous.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A LUMP?

All women should give themselves self breast exams monthly just to be on the safe, as well as knowing exactly when a change occurs. However, if you should happen to find a lump in your breast, you should immediately have your doctor examine your breast for the lump(s). After the examination your doctor may want to do additional tests.

Of these test they may include a mammogram, sonogram, and even a needle aspiration biopsy. If the lump should contain fluid, chances are it is a cyst and will disappear once the fluid has been removed.

IS ANY PARTICULAR GROUP OF WOMEN MORE PRONE TO BREAST CYST?

Women that are more sensitive to caffeine and caffeine products as well as those with heavier periods are usually at a higher risk of having Fibrocystic Breasts. Among this group are woman that have sever menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome.

HOW TO RELIEVE THE PAINFULNESS OF CYSTS IN YOUR BREAST

The first thing, and probably the hardest thing to do is to avoid all types of caffeine. Included in this group is chocolate, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Something you may not be aware of is OTC (over the counter) pain killer and diet aids sometimes also contain caffeine.

KEEPING YOUR ESTROGEN IN CHECK

An important part of keeping your cysts in check is learning how to control your estrogen levels. A good start is to have a low fat high fiber diet. Your diet should be high in these types of foods: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. To ensure you're getting the proper amount of calcium daily you should take calcium supplements if you are depending upon dairy products for your calcium. After about three months you should reintroduce dairy products into your daily diet to see if it made a difference.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Some women get a partial relief by taking a daily multivitamin or at least vitamin E. Other supplements that prove to be very helpful are Selenium (24 to 32 micrograms) daily, vitamin A (1000 to 5000 international units daily), capsules of evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil or black currant seed oil (500 milligrams four times daily).

OTHER REMEDIES

A massage can work wonders. When you've been on your feet all day a foot massage would be wonderful, am I right? So, who's to say a massage wouldn't do the same for the pain the cyst cause your breast? As a matter of fact, a massage relieves discomfort by dispersing excess fluid to the lymph glands where it gets channeled out of the body.

PERFORMING THE MASSAGE

Rub your hands together until they're warm. Start your massage by performing concentric circles about thirty times. Use both hands, with your fingertips meeting the middle. Then move clockwise on the right breast and counterclockwise on your left breast. This should reduce the pain at least in half.

The next recommended self treatment is topical iodine. Simply apply iodine tincture in a three inch square patch to your upper thigh or lower abdomen. Repeat every three hours as long as the stain is disappearing. When the stain doesn't disappear and it has been a twenty-four hour period stop the treatment. The iodine is recommended because it affects the estrogens ability to bind to the cells in your breast.