Treatment:

Self care may include restricting dietary fat to approximately 25% of the total daily calorie intake, and eliminating caffeine.

Performing a breast self-examination monthly, and wearing a well-fitting bra to provide good breast support are important.

The effectiveness of vitamin E, vitamin B6, and herbal preparations, such as evening primrose oil, are somewhat controversial. Discuss their use with your health care provider.

Birth control pills may be prescribed because they often decrease the symptoms. In severe cases, a medicine called danazol may be prescribed if the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential negative effects. Tamoxifen is occasionally used in severe cases.

Expectations (prognosis):

If dietary changes decrease the symptoms, and are maintained, the benefit most likely will persist. A combination of treatment and use of medications may be necessary to obtain relief for severe cases.

Women with fibrocystic breast disease do not have an increased cancer risk.

Complications:

Because fibrocystic changes may make breast examination and mammography more difficult to interpret, early cancerous lesions may occasionally be overlooked.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you feel a new, unusual, or "dominant" lump during a breast self-examination.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are a woman, aged 20 or older, who has never been taught, or does not currently know how, to perform breast self-examination. Also call if you are a woman, aged 40 or older, who has not had a screening mammogram.