Fibrocystic Breasts and Cancer
Fibrocystic breast condition is the most common cause of non-cancerous breast lumps in women between 30 and 50 years of age. More than 50% of women have fibrocystic breast symptoms at some point in their lives.1
Fibrocystic breast condition, which is associated with the menstrual cycle, is used to describe a wide variety of breast problems, most of which are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. These problems include cysts (fluid-filled lumps), fibrosis (hardening of connective tissue), fibroadenomas (benign lumps) and soreness associated with lumpy breasts.
Uncomplicated fibrocystic condition does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
The only aspect of a fibrocystic breast condition that has a strong association with increased risk for breast cancer is atypical hyperplasia (growth in size and number of normal cells in an unusual pattern).
October 2007
1 http://www.imaginis.com
