First, you shouldn't panic. About 80% of breast lumps are benign (noncancerous). Second, you should call your doctor. An expert should examine any newly discovered breast lump.
And you should take some comfort in knowing that your situation is not unique, or even unusual. Most women at least occasionally experience breast changes. Fibrocystic breast is a descriptive name for a whole constellation of benign breast conditions whose symptoms can include pain, general lumpiness, individualized lumps, and asymmetry. (There's much discussion and some disagreement among experts about the terms that should be used to describe this condition. We'll examine the question of terminology in a future article. For now, let's use the term fibrocystic breast.)
Estimates for the number of women who experience these changes range anywhere from 50% to 90% of all women, so it seems safe to say that the majority of women will experience breast changes at some time during their lives. Many of these changes are caused by hormones and are related to a woman's menstrual cycle. Other breast changes occur as we get older.
To understand these changes, let's first look at the anatomy of a typical breast. Underlying the breast, or behind it when you're standing, is muscle tissue, the pectoral muscle. On top of the muscle is the breast itself, which consists of a combination of breast tissue, connective tissue, and fat. Breast tissue is rubbery and firm, while fat is less firm. The breast also contains glands that produce milk and ducts that carry the milk to the nipple.
One of the most common symptoms of fibrocystic breast is pain, which may be either cyclical or noncyclical. Cyclical pain is related to the menstrual cycle. Just as the uterus prepares for pregnancy, so the breasts prepare to produce milk. For about a week preceding her period, a woman's breasts may feel swollen and tender. This discomfort wanes once menstruation begins. Cyclical pain generally affects women in their 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's but ceases after menopause except for women taking hormone-replacement therapy.
Noncyclical pain doesn't vary with the menstrual cycle. It is usually localized to a particular spot. There may or may not be a palpable lump in the tender area. A doctor should check out any noncyclical pain, although most times it's harmless.
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