$Unique_ID{BRK01644}
$Pretitle{Neoplasms, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Breast Cancer}
$Subject{cancer breast fibrocystic disease}
$Volume{B-20, L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Breast Cancer


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QUESTION:  My grandmother died of breast cancer, my mother has had it, and I'm
afraid I'll get it too.  I have a condition called fibrocystic breast disease,
which I am told is very common.  It scares the living daylights out of me to
have this lumpiness in my breasts.  What can I do to prevent this from
happening?

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ANSWER:  With the flood of questions about breast disease that have been
addressed to me lately your letter and this answer will be of interest to
many.
     Besides cutting down on the amount of fat in your diet, there is little
that can be done to prevent breast cancer from developing.  With careful
monitoring of the breasts, however, you can avoid tragic consequences of
breast cancer by catching it in its earliest stages.
     The presence of fibrocystic breast disease does not mean you will
definitely get cancer.  In fact, the majority of women with this condition are
not at a significantly increased risk of it.  About half of all women have
some signs of fibrocystic breast disease, which is characterized by breast
pain, lumps or cysts.  These lumps and cysts are generally benign.
     You, however, do need extra caution than most, because of the history of
the disease in your family.
     Major risk factors of breast cancer include being over the age of fifty,
never having children, early age of menstruation, late menopause, atypical
cells in a breast biopsy, previous history of breast cancer, or having a
mother, sister or daughter with the disease.
     Your best weapon in fighting breast cancer is early detection.  This
means you should find a good doctor who you can feel comfortable with over the
years.  By seeing the same doctor, he or she will be able to note changes that
might be suspicious over a period of time.
     The initial examination for a breast complaint should begin with a
careful history.  This includes giving the physician information about the
presence of any mass, pain or nipple discharge, and any changes associated
with menstruation, pregnancy, local injuries or medication that could have
hormonal effects.
     If you've had previous mammograms with another doctor, you should see to
it that the new doctor receives copies of the reports.  A base line mammogram
should be given to every woman between ages 35 and 40.  They should be
repeated every 2 years until age 50, and yearly after that.
     Your doctor must do an extensive physical examination.  In many cases,
the benign breast lumps need no treatment.  In some cases, aspiration of the
lump is necessary.  This involves the doctor inserting a needle while applying
suction.  Any bloody fluid that is removed should be examined.  Anything
suspicious requires biopsy.  Some researchers have found that you can lessen
the symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease by eliminating caffeine from your
diet (although there is some controversy about this).  Nowadays, however, this
isn't very difficult because there are many decaffeinated products on the
market, including decaf coffees, teas, and cola beverages.
     As I have insisted so many times, the answer to questions on breast
diseases, particularly breast cancer, lies in the philosophy of early
detection, and rapid treatment as the best defense best defense against this
frightening disease.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
