Fibrocystic breasts are breast that take on a lumpy, bumpy feel on exam.  It is due to the tissue in the breast and is very normal.  In fact, more than half to two-thirds of all women will experience fibrocystic breast changes at some point in their lives.  It can be a source of breast pain and tenderness and is usually self limiting.

• Symptoms:  Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts include:

• Breast lumps or areas of thickening
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Fluctuating size of breast lumps
• In some cases, nonbloody nipple discharge
• Changes usually occur in both breasts
• Monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from midcycle to just before your period.

• Causes:  The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn’t known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones  especially estrogen-play a role.  When examined under a microscope, fibrocystic breast tissue includes distinct components such as:
  
  
  • Fluid filled round or oval sacs (cysts)
  • A prominence of fibrous tissue (similar to scar tissue)
  • Overgrowth of cells (hyperplasia) lining the milk ducts or milk-producing tissues (lobules) of the breast
  • Enlarged breast lobules (adenosis)
    
    
• Risk factors:  Having fibrocystic breasts does not increase your risk of breast cancer.  However, if you find a new lump or area of thickening, or if a previously evaluated breast lump seems to have grown or otherwise changed, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.