- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
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Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
Dr. Pruthi is a consultant in the Department of Medicine, the Division of General Internal Medicine and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native is enthusiastic about promoting education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. Dr. Pruthi is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of a clinical trial evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and has research interests in the identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer.
Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns.
She is past director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and has been a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a secretary of the executive committee for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of website content.
"Having an opportunity to share information and empower my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," Dr. Pruthi says.
"The Internet is a tremendous resource and information site for people, and I want them to get up-to-date and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Risk factors (1)
- Fibrocystic breast changes: Linked to breast cancer?
Causes (1)
- Breast cysts: What role does caffeine play?
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Question
Fibrocystic breast changes: Linked to breast cancer?
Do fibrocystic breast changes increase my risk of breast cancer?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
No. Fibrocystic breast changes don't increase your risk of breast cancer.
Fibrocystic breast changes are very common. Women with this noncancerous (benign) condition often experience lumpy, painful breasts. Although once called fibrocystic breast disease, the condition is so common — especially in premenopausal women — that most experts now refer to the condition as fibrocystic breast changes.
The cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn't completely understood. But the condition is likely associated with hormone fluctuations during a woman's menstrual cycle. Signs and symptoms, which typically worsen right before menstruation, include:
- Dense, lumpy breast tissue
- Feeling of fullness in the breasts
- Pain and tenderness that tends to be generalized and may radiate to the underarm
- Nipple discharge that's often greenish brown in color
- Breast cysts that are identified on breast ultrasound
Although fibrocystic breast changes don't increase your risk of breast cancer, having lumpy and tender breasts may make it more challenging to do breast self-exams. For this reason, it's important to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally feel and monitor for any changes.
If you choose to perform breast self-exams, schedule them for a week after your period ends — when hormonal fluctuations decrease and breast tissue feels less lumpy and tender. Also, review your technique with your doctor to ensure that you're doing the exam correctly. Dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to detect abnormal lumps.
Consult your doctor if you:
- Have severe or persistent breast pain or pain that is concentrated in one area of your breast that doesn't fluctuate with your menstrual cycle
- Find a new lump or other change in your breast that persists for two menstrual cycles
Breast cysts: What role does caffeine play?
- Valea FA, et al. Breast diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/170973781-3/0/1524/96.html?tocnode=53759192&fromURL=96.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50018-2_472. Accessed Nov. 13, 2009.
- Guray M, et al. Benign breast diseases: Classification, diagnosis, and management. The Oncologist. 2006;11:435.
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