What are Fibrocystic Breasts?

QUESTION: After much delay, and unnecessary worry, I consulted my doctor who
made a diagnosis of "fibrocystic" breasts. Can you offer me some information
about my condition?
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ANSWER: Fibrocystic breasts, although they may cause you concern or
discomfort, are usually considered to be a benign condition that does not
affect your risk for breast cancer. So you should follow the same guidelines
to check for cancer warning signs that are recommended for all women,
regardless of whether they have fibrocystic breasts. Regular breast
self-examination is very important. Your doctor may recommend a breast
screening, including a mammogram, physical exam, and instruction on how and
how often to perform a self-examination.
Some patients with fibrocystic breasts find that the condition disappears
by itself, particularly if you avoid caffeine (although this is a subject of
some controversy) and wear a support bra. Your doctor may also prescribe a
diuretic or, if your condition is relatively severe, the medication danazol.
If your mother, an aunt, or a sister have had breast cancer, or if you
have had a mastectomy or a biopsy that showed a potential for concern, you may
be advised to have an annual mammogram. If no problems appear after two
years, you may only need this test every two to three years.
There is little chance--less than 0.2 percent--of getting breast cancer
in the year after a mammogram indicates no problem. But because 12 percent of
cancers detected by screening clinics are ones that develop between visits,
it's important for you, and for every woman, to practice self-examination.