If your symptoms persist with new lumps and pain, you may be referred to a breast care clinic. Fibrocystic changes which cause uncomfortable symptoms are managed like hormonal breast pain (ask your doctor for a pain leaflet).Sometimes if cysts are causing problems for you, like pain, the doctor may drain larger cysts with a needle. In most cases no treatment is required, as symptoms tend to lessen over time. This is not painful, but may feel uncomfortable. A needle test is when a fine needle inserted in the breast to take some tissue sample and study it under the microscope. The doctor will sometimes do a needle test to confirm fibrocystic changes, although this is not done commonly. If it is considered necessary you may get an ultrasound scan to help with the diagnosis. There are no special tests to diagnose fibrocystic changes as it is not a disease. The exact cause is unknown but experts suggest this could be as a result of monthly hormonal changes and hormonal fluctuation.

Pain and tenderness may fluctuate according to the monthly cycle.

Nodularity (lumpiness) on one or both breasts.

What are the symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes? Be reassured that fibrocystic changes does not increase your risk of breast cancer. It is benign, which means it isn’t cancer. It is uncommon in post-menopausal women but can affect post-menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy. Fibrocystic breast changes used to be called fibrocystic disease, but it is not a disease it affects women of reproductive age and is often part of cyclical hormonal changes. Generalized breast pain or tenderness or discomfort that involves the upper outer part of the breast 3. Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue 2. These can be localised to one area of the breast or all over the breasts. Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include: 1. Fibrocystic breast changes are the combination of fluid filled sacs, or cysts, and prominent thickened fibrous tissue (similar to scars or ligaments in your body). You may have been told by your clinician that your symptoms are explained by fibrocystic changes. Who can I contact for further information or support?

Some simple measures you can consider to help you:

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