Fibrocystic breast disease

Fibrocystic breast disease
Fibrocystic breast disease also known as fibrocystic breast condition is defined as a condition in which cysts, and noncancerous lump found in the breast tissue as result of hormonal change from the menstrual cycle. Fibrocystic breast diseases sometime cause pain and discomfort which affects approximately 30-60% of women.

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Symptoms
1. Lumps
As a result of the presence of fibrous tissue. Such lumps found nearby armpit, are smooth usually free-moving and become large before the menstrual cycle andwill slowly shrink when the cycle starts.
2. Breast pain
It may last through the whole cycle.
3. breast tenderness
As a result of the swollen breast tissue
4. Breasts and nipples may be tender or itchy.
5. Breast feel full
6. Etc.

Causes and risk factors
1. Hormonal change
It is caused by hormonal change due to the normal hormonal variation during a woman's monthly cycle, as researchers that there are no such condition after menopause.

2. Family history of breast cancer
Some theories suggested that fibrocystic breast disease may be caused by family history in the direct family members. In a study of Cystic disease, family history of breast cancer, and use of oral contraceptives researchers found that the possibility that a woman is more protected against benign breast disease by using oral contraceptives if she has a family history of breast cancer deserves more attention in future investigations on the long-term effects of birth control pills.

3. Diet high in caffeine
Some theories suggested caffeine may be the cause but, in a study of Caffeine consumption and fibrocystic breast disease: a case-control epidemiologic study, researchers found that the association with caffeine consumption was especially high among women with atypical lobular hyperplasia and with sclerosing adenosis with concomitant papillomatosis or papillary hyperplasia, both of which have been associated with an increased breast cancer risk. The association was specific to fibrocystic breast disease in that there was no association of caffeine consumption with fibroadenoma or other forms of benign breast disease.

4. Diet high in unsaturated and trans fat
Intake high in unsaturated and trans fat elevates the production of estrogen, lower estrogen levels by eating fewer high-fat foods, especially from animal source will be helpful.

5. Colas and soda beverages
disturb the female hormones, so they should not be used in excess.

6. Etc.

Prevention and easing the symptoms
Although there is no effective way to prevent Fibrocystic breast disease, but
A. Prevention
1. Soy bean
Isoflavones in soybean is one of the most powerful phytoestrogen, which not only helps to reduce symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause due to decreasing of the reproduction of estrogen as aging, it also helps to reduce symptom of menstrual cramps and pain as well as enhancing normal menstrual cycle. The existence of Omega 3 fatty acid reduces the production of prostaglandins hormone, by balancing the ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, resulting in lessening the movement of abdominal muscle that cause menstrual cramps and pain.

2. Cold water fish
Imbalance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can cause the over production of prostaglandins hormone, leading to over reaction of the abdominal muscle, causing menstrual cramps and pain.

3. Dulse
Iodine is essential for the functioning of thyroid gland in secreting thyroid hormone into blood stream by converting to iodide through many complicated mechanism. Deficiency of iodine causes developmental delays, hypothyroidism, symptoms of which are extreme fatigue, mental slowing, depression, weight gain, etc.
Chlorophyll, a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, beside is best known for its cleansing body and healing to vital organs properties. It also reduces the binding of carcinogens to DNA in the liver and other organs, thus reducing the risk of cancer.
Since it also contains a measurable amount of potassium, it helps to balance the ratio of sodium , thus enhancing the lymphatic functioning in regulating the fluid in the body, resulting in lessening the risk of water retention.

4. Asparagus
Since it contains high amount of potassium, it increases lymphatic function in regulating body's fluids by balancing the ration of sodium in the body, thus reducing the risk of fluid retention cause of swelling.
Asparagus also contains high amount of vitamin C, that not only helps to improve the digestive system in absorbing nutrient but also reduces the risk of breaking off of capillary.

5. Melon
Watermelon is exceptionally high in citrulline, an amino acid that helps to make L- arginine. L-arginine enhances the blood vessel to relax, thus increasing blood flow in carrying nutrients to the body cell, including the reproductive organs, thus promoting fertility.

6. Tea
Tannins, a group of simple and complex phenol, polyphenols, and flavonoid compounds, once are considered anti nutritional but it is now known of their beneficial depending to their chemical structure and dosage for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects.
Theanine, an amino acid that produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, theanine found in green tea, has a significant clinical results for naturally calming as it promotes alpha brain waves, putting you in a state of relaxation without causing drowsiness. It also increases the dopamine levels in the brain, leading to a well-being feeling.

7. Etc.

B. Easing the symptoms
1. Try a low-fat diet
Since diet high in saturated and trans fat is the cause of Fibrocystic breast disease, reducing intake is certain helpful to ease the symptoms.

2. Reduce intake of caffeine
If intake of caffeine is the cause, reducing intake can ease some the symptoms as well.

3. Evening Primrose Oil
Taking evening primrose oil may help alleviate symptoms. In double-blind, researchers found that evening primrose oil has slightly reduced symptoms and normalizes blood levels of fatty acids in women with FBD.

4. Agnus castus
In double-blind study, researchers found that reduce breast tenderness at menses because of its ability to reduce elevated levels of the hormone, prolactin.

5. Iodine
In animal study, researchers found that Fibrocystic breast disease is associated with iodine deficiency.

6. Vitamin B6
In some studies, researchers found that B6 supplementation reduces symptoms of Fibrocystic breast disease.

7. Vitamin E
In some studies, researchers found that vitamin E reduces symptoms of FBS.

8. Reduce intake of alcohol
Alcohol can interfere the liver function in production of estrogen, leading to the elevation of Fibrocystic breast disease.

9. Salty Foods
Intake of salty foods can interferes the lymphatic system in water distribution, leading to water retention and tenderness.

10. Etc.

Diagnosis and tests
1. Mammography
If you have any symptoms is mentioned above, the first test which your doctor order is a mammogram to screen and detect any breast tissue abnormally and any sign of tumor. mammograms can detect between 85 to 90 percent of all abnormalities, including breast cancer, cysts, fibroadenomas, tumors, etc. even before you can feel a lump.

2. Biopsy
In a breast biopsy, a very small tissue sample is extracted and examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells by using a medical instrument (fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), Core needle biopsy (CNB) and Stereotactic biopsy) or cutting out by a surgical procedure.

3. Aspiration of the breast
Needle aspiration involves inserting a needle into the middle of the lump to see whether it's a mass of tissue or a fluid-filled cyst. If the lump does not yield fluid when aspired, it may still be a cyst or other benign growth, such as intraductal papilloma (warty growth), fat necrosis (a fatty lump), duct ectasia (a clogged mammary duct) or sclerosing adenosis (a calcium deposit).

4. Ultrasound
Ultrasound will determine if it is a simple cyst. If the cyst is not normal in appearance, does not disappear with aspiration or recurs after repeated aspiration, the doctor may do a biopsy to check for possible cancer. A biopsy involves removing all or part of the lump and examining it for cancer. There are needle biopsies (removing cells), incisional biopsies (surgical removal of only part of the lump) and excisional biopsies (removing all of the lump).
may be difficult to interpret due to dense tissue. A biopsy of the breast may be necessary to rule out other disorders. Aspiration of the breast with a fine needle can often diagnose and treat larger cysts.

5. Etc.

Treatments
A. In conventional medicine
The drugs used in conventional medicine is to treat the symptoms not the causes
In some women because of severity of symptoms, doctors may prescribe hormonal therapies
1. Oral contraceptive pill
a. Birth control pills
It is used if the Fibrocystic breast disease is the result of imbalance of estrogen and progesterone levels.
b. Danocrine, a synthetic version of the male hormone testosterone, works by shutting down the menstrual cycle.
c. Bromocriptine reduces prolactin release and suppresses breast milk production after pregnancy.
d. Etc.

2. Intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papilloma is a surgical procedure to remove ducts in the breast if the symptom is due discharge bothersome. After surgery, the appearance of the breast is usually unchanged.

3. Vitamin and mineral
a. Iodine
In animal study, researchers found that Fibrocystic breast disease is associated with iodine deficiency.
b. Vitamin B6 In some studies, researchers found that B6 supplementation reduces symptoms of Fibrocystic breast disease.
c. Vitamin E
In some studies, researchers found that vitamin E reduces symptoms of FBS.

4. Etc.

C. Herbal medicine
1. Borage seed oil
Borage seed oil contains high levels of essential fatty acids which help to regulate hormone production, thus reducing the risk of Fibrocystic breast disease.

2. Chaste berry tree
Chaste berry tree is considered as queen herb in herbal medicine as it contains vitex which helps to balance estrogen and progesterone production.

3. Red Clover
Red cover contains high levels of formononetin, an O-methylated isoflavone which helps to inhibit the production of bad estrogen cause of Fibrocystic breast disease.

4. Bloodroot
Bloodroot is found to be a strong competitor against any natural progesterone taken produced by the body, it is helpful if the cause of Fibrocystic breast disease is the progesterone related.

5. Dandelion leaf
Dandelion leaf can be used to ease symptoms of fluid engorgement of the breasts, because of it diuretic effect.

6. Etc.

D. Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine views Fibrocystic breast disease is a disease caused by Stagnation of Liver qi or Stagnation of qi and blood or Deficiency of qi and blood or Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney or Disharmony of Ren and Chong channels as a result of disruption of qi that lead to leads to blood stagnation resulting in dampness accumulates and eventually congeals into phlegm. This phlegm resulted in cystic formations in the breast.
Since the differentiation is quite complex, I will come back with a separate article

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