Fibrocystic Breast

Women will in general have some lumps in their breast; the lumps will more than likely be found in the upper outer area of their breast. These lumps are common, but do not increase their risk for breast cancer.

Past studies showed there was a higher risk for breast cancer in women diagnosed with fibrocystic breast, more recent studies have shown that these women are not in a higher risk category.

Fibrocystic breast are usually not found to be malignant, but the lumps may cause you some discomfort.

The cysts or fluid- filled sacs caused by this disease will tend to get larger during the end of your menstrual cycle, due to the fact that your body is retaining more fluid.

Cysts may be so small that you can hardly feel them, while others may be the size of an egg. Larger cysts can be moved around and change their shape. Fibrocystic tumors will have a firm, smooth rubbery feel to them they also have a definite shape and can be moved with little pressure applied to the surface of your skin.

Lumps may be found if a woman experiences any of the following:

• If you have had an injury or some infections in your breast at some point you may also find lumps in your breast.
• Fibroadenomas: Younger women may experience lumps caused by these benign tumors as well.
• Lipoma: lumps caused by fatty tissue.
• Intraductal Papilloma: blocked milk duct.

As yet researchers have not proven what may cause cysts, but it seems as though they appear in younger women when their hormone levels are higher. Generally cysts will disappear after a woman has gone through menopause.

Fibrocystic breast symptoms

• Breast that are sensitive or tender to the touch.
• Painful or non painful lumps in the breast.
• Evidence of discharge from the nipples.

Breast Cancer Fears

There is a lot of talk throughout the media on the subject of breast cancer and how the study by a government-led panel of experts is showing women in their 40s, do not need a mammogram every year. The study also shows that women in their 50s need a mammogram only every two years. I have always believed that mammogram’s were known as wellness exams to detect early cancer.

When one looks at the cost of a mammogram versus the cost of caring for a patient with breast cancer the numbers should be a no brainer. Please do not be fooled by the media that is looking for ratings and a government that is being bought off by the insurance companies.

If these rules are put into place there will be thousands more women at risk of dying from breast cancer each year.  For women with large breast, mastitis, fibrocystic breast and other beast diseases these reports are causing fear around the world.

Self breast exams have been a major asset in saving women form dying of breast cancer for years, now they want us to believe that these exams are no longer needed.

I would like to ask these people just what dollar amount do you put on a human life, these women are wives, mothers and daughters. I am sure that those stating the mammogram and self exam are no longer necessary each year have known someone that has died from this horrible disease.

The American Cancer Society is asking that women let our leaders in Washington know that these rules are not acceptable. 

Moreover, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force isn’t nixing mammograms. They acknowledge the test’s early-detection benefits.