FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE

FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE, also known as cystic mastitis, is a sometimes painful, but benign, cystic swelling of the breasts. It is important to know that it is not a disease; it is a condition that is an inconvenience and a discomfort but not a serious health problem. Some 60 percent of all women suffer from fibrocystic breast disease, in which the breasts are sometimes cystic, or lumpy, and become swollen, typically before menstruation. Some women find that their breasts become so painful that they can’t bear to touch them and have trouble sleeping at night. The condition is not medically dangerous, and is not a precursor of cancer, but it does complicate breast self-examination, as it is difficult to identify a new lump among the existing ones. Consequently, regular mammograms are essential, particularly if there is a family history of breast cancer.

The inflammatory processes of cystic mastitis appear to be aggravated by estrogen, both in its natural form and in birth control pills. The fluctuating levels of estrogen account for the cyclic nature of the inflammation and swelling. (For further information about premenstrual symptoms, see PMS, page 276.) Diet also has an effect on the formation of painful lumps. In my experience, caffeine in coffee and colas, theophylline in tea, and theobromine in chocolate have all been shown to contribute to the inflammation and should be eliminated from your diet. Some asthma medications that contain caffeine can also aggravate the condition. Although there have been studies that claim giving up caffeine and related compounds did not work, these studies only reduced caffeine in the diet, they did not eliminate it entirely.

There is also evidence that what you eat and the regularity of your bowel movements have a direct bearing on cystic mastitis. Women having fewer than three bowel movements per week are 4.5 times more likely to have the condition than women who have at least one a day. In addition, women on a vegetarian diet excrete two to three times more detoxified estrogens than women who eat meat and tend to reabsorb estrogen. A diet high in vegetables and fruits will regulate bowel function and help reduce the severity of the inflammation.

Vitamin E has provided dramatic results in controlling cystic mastits. Eighty-five percent of the patients in one study showed remission of lumps, while the remaining 15 percent showed clear improvement. The vitamin E used in this study was natural vitamin E, so be sure to check tile label. (The synthetic vitamin E was found ineffective.)

Vitamin A, taken in high doses, also stimulates complete or partial remission of cystic mastitis. However, some people developed headaches in high-dose vitamin A studies and had to withdraw. Beta-carotene, with similar activity, has been used by my patients with success.

Primrose oil has been used successfully in Europe to reduce the size of cysts, and is now available in health food stores in tile United States. I recommend it regularly.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE

• Eliminate coffee, tea, chocolate, and caffeinated sodas from your diet. Check labels on over-the-counter medications because many diet preparations, analgesics, pain relievers, diuretics, and cold and allergy remedies contain caffeine. Also, prescription drugs can contain caffeine.
• Avoid animal fats.
• Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, and berries.
• Eat fish and other seafood rich in iodine.
• Have regular mammograms. Check with your gynecologist regarding frequency.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:

• Vitamin E: 400 I.U. a day.
• Beta-carotene: 10,000-25,000 I.U. a day.
• Primrose oil: one or two capsules three times a day.

IN ADDITION: There is experimental evidence linking iodine deficiency in animals with cystic mastitis. Some doctors have had good results prescribing kelp supplements for patients but this isn’t something you should do on your own: Your doctor will want to test you for thyroid