- 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.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and 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 director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with 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," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Risk factors (1)
- Fibrocystic breast disease: Does it lead to breast cancer?
Causes (1)
- Breast cysts: What role does caffeine play?
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Question
Fibrocystic breast disease: Does it lead to breast cancer?
Does having fibrocystic breast disease increase my risk of breast cancer?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
No. Fibrocystic breast disease doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer.
Fibrocystic breast disease is a very common, noncancerous (benign) breast condition. Women with fibrocystic breast disease have lumpy, painful breasts. Although once considered a disease, the condition is so common — especially in premenopausal women — that most experts now prefer the term "fibrocystic breast changes."
The cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn't completely understood. But the condition is thought to be 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 is important to familiarize yourself with how your breasts feel by monitoring for any new 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.
There's no specific treatment for fibrocystic breast changes. Some simple measures, such as wearing a supportive bra with the correct fit, may provide relief from the pain and discomfort associated with fibrocystic breast changes. Reducing or limiting caffeine in your diet also may help. Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes often go away completely after menopause.
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 change or lump in your breast that persists for two menstrual cycles
