Fibroadenosis of Breast in Indian Women: Causes & Treatments

Fibroadenosis of breast, also commonly known as fibrocystic disease of the breast is a condition where the breast tissue develops lumps that feel heavy and uncomfortable on the body. The lump is smooth, rubbery or firm and well-defined in shape. They move with pressure under the skin.

Fibroadenosis of breast usually occurs when a woman’s breasts undergo different kinds of clinical changes every month. These changes are directly related to the female sex hormones that fluctuate every month with respect to the menstrual cycle. Fibroadenosis of breast most commonly occurs in women between the ages 25 and 35 and is fairly common in India, and across the world.

To prevent the condition from getting worse, it’s important to understand fibroadenosis fully, its symptoms, warning signs and associated conditions in the breast in order to get it treated as early as possible.

Having fibrocystic breasts is not at all uncommon. In fact several women experience this condition at some point in their lives. It’s not a fatal condition, but it manifests through several symptoms which you should pay attention to and get yourself tested for immediately.

You can consult a good gynaecologist near you to get started on your diagnosis and treatment for fibroadenosis in India.

Some of the common Fibroadenosis symptoms in Indian women include:

• Lumps in the breast or in the tissues immediately surrounding the breast tissues. It can be a fairly large lump or simply even a small thickening which is barely noticeable
• Pain or tenderness in the breasts. Breast pain or mastaglia is a common symptom of fibroadenosis of breast. The pain can either be intermittent or continuous. It’s unlikely that breast pain is a sign of cancer. It’s a more probable indicator of fibroadenosis than anything else. If it’s light and disappears soon after, you can ignore it. But if the pain does not subside even after two menstrual cycles, you should certainly visit a doctor and get it checked out.
• Nipple discharge which is not blood but shows up as a white, green, brown or a dark-ish colored fluid. This may also be associated with itching. Nipple discharge is quite common in women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, but if it happens unexpectedly, it’s a cause of concern. It can indicate fibroadenosis of breast or a more serious condition such as breast cancer. Either way, you must visit a top gynaecologist to diagnose the condition.
• Changes in the shape, size of tissue structure of the breasts. Also known as breast hypertrophy, a change in size may not be a big cause of worry, but diagnosis is always recommended.
• Changes in the breast shape, structure especially ahead of your menstrual cycle.

These are the most common symptoms of fibroadenosis in Indian women. Pay close attention to any changes in your body, especially during and after your menstrual cycle and period of pregnancy. You can consult a gynaecologist near you by booking an appointment on the MFine app. Take the first step and prioritise your wellness with MFine!

While scientists are still trying to figure out what exactly causes fibroadenosis of breast in Indian women, we do know that it has something to do with changes in the female sex hormones especially estrogen.

During your menstrual cycle, the body undergoes several physiological changes. Hormonal fluctuations are very normal and in fact necessary during menstruation. Which is why you may experience behavioral changes, fatigue, cramps and other common changes.

In some cases, however, these fluctuating hormone levels cause changes in the breasts such as tenderness, pain, soreness and even swelling. The condition is at its peak right before your menstrual cycle begins and soon weakens as and when the cycle proceeds. Fibroadenosis causes will hopefully be discovered soon enough.

Fibroadenosis Types:
When you visit your gynaecologist to get treated for fibroadenomas, your doctor will diagnose which type of fibroadenomas are present in your body. Here are 4 distinct fibroadenosis types you should be aware of:

• Complex Fibroadenomas – This is characterized by a condition called Hyperplasia that involves proliferation of cells leading to rapid growth of tissues in the breast. A breast biopsy is done to check for this condition.
• Giant Fibroadenomas – They may grow up to 5cm or large and will need to be surgically removed since they can exert pressure on the surrounding breast tissue.
• Small/Juvenile Fibroadenomas – They mostly occur in young girls between the ages of 10 and 18 and may disappear on their own with time
• Phyllodes Fibroadenomas – While some of these are usually benign, some can turn malignant and would be recommended to be removed immediately.

Consult fibroadenosis of breast treatment specialists at MFine to get the best advice on the right diagnostic tests that include ultrasound or mammogram etc. If there is a single lump that feels like the cyst, the specialist will remove the fluid with a needle.

If after aspiration the lump disappears, it means that it is a cyst. In case of an abnormal or bloody fluid, it is sent to the laboratory for examination.

If a solid area is noticed on an ultrasound or mammogram instead of ‘hollow cyst’, a biopsy needs to be done in order to study the abnormal tissue extracted from the lump.

After a preliminary fibrocystic breast ultrasound, the doctor would suggest relieving pain or discomfort with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Supportive treatment includes ice packs, warm compresses, gentle massage etc. Proper nutrition can contribute to the treatment of breast lumps. The general surgeon would advise a biopsy and then carry out the surgery. You can find proficient surgeons at MFine who will kickstart your bilateral fibroadenosis treatment in no time!

Are people with breast cancer vulnerable during COVID in India

Any other health issues have taken a backseat because of COVID-19 outbreak. So taking care of our health has become all the more important now that COVID in India has taken precedence over everything else. But for people who are already suffering from ailments like breast cancer, matters can get worse even if you develop even mild symptoms of COVID-19.  High dosage of medications and chemotherapy can weaken your immune system and thus you might contract the virus easily.

So there’s what you need to do:

1.) Get vaccinated: There have been questions about which COVID vaccine is best, but whatever you get, go ahead and take the jab. Getting the vaccination is completely safe and this will also reduce the chances of you getting COVID-19 symptoms.

2.) Remain in quarantine: Even if some rules are being lifted, it is mandatory for you to stay in strict quarantine to reduce the chances. Limit visitors and help so that you don’t contract virus from any carriers too.

Fibroadenosis is characterised by fibrous or rubbery cystic changes in the breasts. Fibroadenoma however is a tumor that grows in the breast usually in Indian women under 30 years of age. They usually disappear on their own because they are benign and if necessary can be removed as well.

Here’s diving deeper into fibroadenomas:

Symptoms: Fibroadenomas do not show up as blatantly obvious symptoms. If you happen to feel a small lump by chance, it may be an indicator. Sometimes it shows up on a mammogram or an ultrasound too.

Causes:As of today, the cause of fibroadenomas are unclear. However, they’re most likely related to hormonal changes because they often show up at the time of pregnancy, puberty or menopause.

Types: Fibroadenomas can also be classified into juvenile, complex, simple and giant fibroadenomas, based on their characteristics and when they occur.

Diagnosis:Fibroadenomas can be detected through a mammogram, ultrasound and physical examination by your gynaecologist.

If you’re wondering can fibroadenomas turn to cancer? No, they cannot. Fibroadenomas are NOT cancerous. They are benign and cannot spread to the rest of the body.

Now that you’re aware of fibroadenosis of breast, it’s best to get yourself checked. A complete thorough check up will help you diagnose and treat these conditions.

Q1. Is fibroadenosis harmful?

Fibroadenosis is not particularly harmful. It can cause a lot of physical discomfort though. Many milder cases of fibroadenosis don’t show any symptoms at all. But it’s better to get it checked either way because it can act as an obstruction for breast cancer detection in the future.

Q2. Is fibroadenosis curable?

Fibroadenosis is a curable condition and your gynaecologist will recommend the best course of treatment in India based on your diagnosis.

Q3. Can you prevent fibroadenosis?

A healthy diet rich in nutrients and low in fat helps decrease the risk of fibroadenosis in Indian women. If you are on any other hormonal therapy, talk to your gynaecologist to see what best can be done.

Q4. Should you be concerned about breast pain?

There is no reason to panic if you have breast pain as many women experience it right before their periods, but you must talk to your gynaecologist immediately if you’re experiencing continuous breast pain, swelling, lumps, redness or any discharge. MFine has a whole range of doctors you can consult right from your home.

Q5. How do I book an appointment with a gynaecologist?

You just have to download the MFine app, search for a gynaecologist near you and book an appointment by filling out your details. You can teleconsult with your gynaecologist online and discuss your issues comfortably with him/her.

Q6. Is my information secure on the MFine app?

MFine takes your privacy very seriously. At MFine, we provide utmost confidentiality to all our patients. No information is exchanged between your doctor and anyone else.