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- $Unique_ID{BRK00224}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What are Fibrocystic Breasts?}
- $Subject{fibrocystic chronic cystic mastitis cyst cysts lumps lump mammogram
- treatment breast mammary gland mammaries cancer cancers neoplasm neoplasms
- Breasts benign self-examination screening}
- $Volume{B-19}
- $Log{
- Anatomy of the Breast*0002601.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 1*0002602.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 2*0002603.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 3*0002604.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 4*0002605.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 5*0002606.scf
- Breast Self-Examination: Step 6*0002607.scf
- Monthly Breast Self-Examination*0002608.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What are Fibrocystic Breasts?
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: After much delay, and unnecessary worry, I consulted my doctor who
- made a diagnosis of "fibrocystic" breasts. Can you offer me some information
- about my condition?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Fibrocystic breasts, although they may cause you concern or
- discomfort, are usually considered to be a benign condition that does not
- affect your risk for breast cancer. So you should follow the same guidelines
- to check for cancer warning signs that are recommended for all women,
- regardless of whether they have fibrocystic breasts. Regular breast
- self-examination is very important. Your doctor may recommend a breast
- screening, including a mammogram, physical exam, and instruction on how and
- how often to perform a self-examination.
- Some patients with fibrocystic breasts find that the condition disappears
- by itself, particularly if you avoid caffeine (although this is a subject of
- some controversy) and wear a support bra. Your doctor may also prescribe a
- diuretic or, if your condition is relatively severe, the medication danazol.
- If your mother, an aunt, or a sister have had breast cancer, or if you
- have had a mastectomy or a biopsy that showed a potential for concern, you may
- be advised to have an annual mammogram. If no problems appear after two
- years, you may only need this test every two to three years.
- There is little chance--less than 0.2 percent--of getting breast cancer
- in the year after a mammogram indicates no problem. But because 12 percent of
- cancers detected by screening clinics are ones that develop between visits,
- it's important for you, and for every woman, to practice self-examination.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-
-