| Fibrocystic
Breast Changes
What
are some common fibrocystic breast changes?
Generalized breast lumpiness is known under many different names, such as
"fibrocystic disease" and "fibroid breasts." Many of
these are misnomers since physicians and researchers now believe that
these are just part of the breast changes which many women undergo
throughout the various stages of their lives. Many physicians feel that
this term has become a catch-all phrase for general breast lumpiness.
What do fibrocystic changes feel like?
Fibrocystic lumpiness is also described as "ropy" or
"granular" and seems to become more obvious as a woman
approaches middle age and the milk producing glandular tissue gives way to
softer, fatty tissue. However, women with lumpy breasts may experience
many other benign breast conditions.
Lumpiness in the breasts may make actual lumps harder to distinguish.
Thus, it is important that women with lumpy breasts perform regular breast
self-examinations and have regular physical examinations, including
mammography as indicated by the National Cancer Institute guidelines.
Knowing the normal shape and feel of your own breasts is important,
especially when performing examinations to detect any unusual breast
changes.
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