Young women who have fibrocystic breasts often notice that their lumps feel more tender before their periods and improve immediately afterwards. While cysts usually don't disappear completely, women can ease breast pain caused by fibrocystic changes by trying the following:
- Take 600 I.U. of Vitamin E daily.
- Decrease or eliminate caffeine.
As for fibroadenomas, Parker says they never go away but they do shrink after menopause.
Don't Be a Boob: Take Care of Your Breasts
Although 80 percent of breast lumps in premenopausal women are non-cancerous, Parker still recommends that women under the age of 35 get a professional breast exam once a year. He also urges women to check their breasts once a month. "Most patients don't do their own exams because it scares them," says Parker.
The goal of performing regular self-breast exams is not to be your own doctor, but to get to know your breasts so that you can distinguish the usual lumps and bumps from the new or changing ones. Because cystic lumps may change with hormone levels, it is best to examine your breasts around the same time in each menstrual cycle -- at the beginning of each period, for example. If you are concerned about a particular lump, bring it to your doctor's attention.
While annual mammograms are generally not recommended for women under 40, Parker suggests that a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer -- particularly in a sister or mother -- get her first mammogram ten years before her youngest relative was diagnosed.
Resources
The American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Resource Center offers information on breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. You can also call 800-ACS-2345.
* This name has been changed to ensure anonymity.
