Fibrocystic Changes of the Breast

Fibrocystic changes are a set of breast symptoms that include pain, cysts (small, fluid-filled sacs), and general lumpiness in your breasts. Fibrocystic changes in the breast is not a single disease.

The Breasts

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• Fibrocystic changes don’t lead to breast cancer

• Symptoms can be worse in the days before your period

• Fibrocystic changes usually go away after menopause (when you stop having periods)

• Doctors may do tests to make sure your fibrocystic changes aren’t cancer

You’re more likely to have fibrocystic changes if you:

• Started menstruation (getting periods) at an early age

• Had your first baby at age 30 or older

• Never had a baby

• Lumps in your breast

• Sometimes discomfort, including heaviness, tenderness, or burning pain

Doctors may:

• Tell you to wear a soft, supportive bra, such as a sports bra

• Drain the fluid from a cyst

If you only have one lump or if it feels different from other lumps, doctor may:

• Take a sample of tissue from your breast lump and look at it under a microscope (biopsy) to make sure it isn’t cancer

• Do surgery to remove it