Breast Cysts

In some women the female hormones can cause balloon-like pockets of fluid to be trapped in the breast tissue. This is sometimes referred to as fibrocystic disease, or cysts. These can be felt as lumps, which do not turn into cancer, but can sometimes feel like a lump formed by cancer.  This makes the self breast exam and your doctor's examination more difficult.  Cancer can develop elsewhere in the cystic breast, just as it can develop in any woman. Since the lumps caused by cysts make it difficult to perform physical examination, your doctor may order mammography if you have cystic disease, to see if a suspicious mass is hiding behind some cysts.

This condition is most likely to occur between the ages of 40-50, but can occur at other ages.  Also, mental stress may make the fluid retention worse.  Discontinuing coffee, tea, soda and chocolate can sometimes cause these lumps to decrease in size.  Although caffeine should be stopped for at least two months to be fully effective, improvement in breast pain and lumps may happen sooner.  Stopping caffeine may not get rid of fibrocystic disease entirely, since there are other factors associated with cysts such as irregular periods, but it usually relieves the worst of the cystic activities.  If the cysts are unusually lumpy and painful, it's sometimes necessary to stop drinking even decaffeinated coffee and tea because the decaffeinated process can't eliminate all the caffeine without removing the flavor.  About 5-10% of the caffeine remains. It may be necessary to use caffeine-free substances such as herbal teas or caffeine-free soda.

Often, your doctor can extract the fluid from these cysts with a small needle. The cysts tend to get worse as you approach menopause, particularly if you skip periods. Fortunately, after menopause, when there are fewer female hormones, fibrocystic disease should stop and the breasts will become easier to examine. They may remain cystic, however, if certain medications prescribed by your doctor continue to be taken. If Hormone Therapy is prescribed by your doctor, cysts may return. This can be controlled by taking less of the hormones. Also, sometimes not taking hormones for 5 or 6 days each month will help alleviate the fluid in the breast tissue. Always check with your doctor before adjusting your prescription dosages.

This page is intended as an educational resource only. It is not a substitute for professional care. Please see your physician if you have any concerns about your own health.

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