Posted in Category : Women's Health | March 5, 2008

Fibroadenoma: A Cause for Concern

Fibroadenoma tumors are mainly found in young women. The risk factors of breast cancer may be indicated by a multiple or complex types of Fibroadenoma. The patients suffering from fibroadenomas has been increasing steadily over the years.

Fibroadenoma can be categorized as solitary tumors. In 10 to 15 percent women, both breasts are affected by the Fibroadenoma that is revealed in the form of lumps. Many underlying medical conditions also cause Fibroadenoma.

The hormonal changes before the period of menstruation may also cause changes in breast tissue making them feel granular and lumpy. Though the causes of the Fibroadenoma are not entirely understood, it is believed that this condition can be associated with ovarian hormones, while the condition subsides with menopause and differs according to changes in the menstrual cycle.

Fibroadenoma are the benign breast tumors and are also known as papillomas. These tumors are abnormal growths, which do not spread outer of the breast region to other body organs. They do not cause any kind of life threatening situations. The abnormal hormone fluctuations also cause Fibroadenoma.

Those women aged less than 30 years can also suffer from Fibroadenoma which are commonly found to be benign tumors of the breast. Other causes of the Fibroadenoma are the various kinds of breast cancer, breast disease like Fibrocystic and Fibroadenomas.

The patients who are suffering from Fibroadenoma are affected by following symptoms of Fibroadenoma. These symptoms may be lumps may be transferable, painless, rigid, or chewy lumps with sharp borders. These lumps grow in size particularly during pregnancy. The breast size becomes no longer symmetrical as it compare to its previous size. The breast surface shows redness, accentuated veins and ultimately ulceration of the skin. In addition, sudden weight loss can also cause Fibroadenoma.

Natural Remedies and Diet for Breast Fibroadenoma

Breast disease is a cause of concern among many women, both young and old. Apart from breast cancer, breast conditions such as noncancerous fibroadenomas also affect millions of women. Since these are noncancerous, many women opt for natural remedies for fibroadenoma. While these remedies can be beneficial in controlling the problem, it is recommended that you consult a doctor as well.

What are fibroadenomas? Breasts comprise of lobules and ducts that are surrounded by fatty and supportive tissues. This tissue sometimes grows over the lobule and forms a solid lump. This solid lump is called a fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas are noncancerous, and the risk of breast cancer developing due to the presence of these benign lumps is not proven. If you are wondering what causes fibroadenomas, then you should know that the causes of fibroadenoma of the breast, or breast lumps, are not yet known. It is believed that breast fibroadenomas occur due to an increased sensitivity to the hormone estrogen that is present in women. Fibroadenomas are also sometimes caused due to sudden weight loss.

While fibroadenomas are generally painless, some patients do complain of tenderness and soreness in the breast. Also, while fibroadenomas develop mostly in young women during the puberty years, they can occur at any age. Although there are no known fibroadenoma causes, breast fibroadenoma has often been linked to the risk of breast cancer. Since fibroadenomas may occur alone or in groups, it is believed that if you have a single fibroadenoma then your chances of getting cancer of the breast are lower than that if you have multiple fibroadenomas.

Breast fibroadenomas are common in women who are in the age group of 15 to 30. These are generally not found in women who are postmenopausal. Their size ranges from 1 cm to 5 cm; sometimes, fibroadenomas may become as large as the size of a lemon. About 10% to 15% of women have a couple of these lumps. While some breast lumps can be found during a woman’s period, most fibroadenomas do not go after a woman’s menstrual cycle; these need to be examined by a doctor.

Breast fibroadenoma symptoms. The symptoms of fibroadenoma include physical manifestations of the lumps; the lumps may be rigid, painless, and transferable, and they may sometimes have sharp borders or be spongy. In terms of fibroadenoma changes, the size of these lumps is known to increase during pregnancy. Also, if you have fibroadenomas, your breast size will no longer remain symmetrical, and the surface of the breast will show accentuated veins. There is also some amount of redness, and the skin ultimately ulcerates. With regard to the symptoms of fibroadenoma, the signs and symptoms can be identified by self-examining the breast. Since pain is not always experienced, regular breast self-examination will help in early detection.

Natural remedies for fibroadenoma: There are many natural remedies for fibroadenoma.  One of them involves the use of reflexology. In this treatment method, pressure is applied to certain pressure points. With the help of your finger or thumb, you can apply pressure to these specified points twenty times, three times a day. These points include the affected breast’s nipple, the centre point of the affected area, and the central point of the breast’s quadrants. A total of six points need to be pressed. As a result of this pressure, the drainage of the lymph increases and the size of the lump decreases. It is always advisable to consult a reflexology professional before self-administration.

Among the more popular natural remedies for fibroadenoma is the application of a hot compress to the affected breast. Soak a towel in castor oil and place it on the area that is affected. Keep this towel in place for about an hour for maximum results. You could also use plain castor oil to regularly massage your breasts. The application of castor oil mixed with essential oils or herbs is also regarded as an effective natural remedy for fibroadenoma. Regularly massaging your breasts can also help you keep track of any changes that take place in your breasts.

The use of ginger tea is also popular when it comes to natural remedies for fibroadenoma. Dip a towel in the tea while it is still warm. Then, hold the towel against your breast for about 20 to 60 minutes; do this every few hours. This remedy is particularly helpful if you are also experiencing pain and discomfort.

Diet for fibroadenomas: Apart from the tea compress, drinking tea to which some fresh ginger has been added also helps. In fact, diet can play a critical role in the prevention and natural treatment of fibroadenoma. It is important that you follow a diet that is low on meat and fat and high in soy products and fiber. Increasing your intake of fatty fish and olive oil is also helpful. You should restrict the amount of alcohol you drink, or if possible, avoid drinking it altogether. Consuming less of coffee and caffeine-based products is also advisable.  Including flaxseed oil, flax seeds, and fish oil in your diet is extremely beneficial to control and prevent fibroadenomas.  For a while, you can even go vegetarian, as vegetarian diets are usually high in fiber. You could also increase your intake of vitamins A and C, as they would help in the elimination of excess estrogen from your body. Increased intake of vitamin C will also help ease and prevent inflammation. Check with your health care provider if you would like to consume vitamin supplements so as to determine the right dosages.

Alternative treatment options: While natural remedies for fibroadenomas are beneficial in shrinking lumps and inhibiting the occurrence of new ones, sometimes they may not work. Although these lumps are noncancerous and there is no need to worry, if you find that the natural remedies for fibroadenoma are not working, you should consult your doctor. In fact, it is advisable that you consult a doctor as soon as you feel a lump, and then discuss treatment options with him/her. Your health care provider will prefer to treat fibroadenomas as soon as any lumps are felt. Once lumps are felt, a proper diagnosis has to be made. This includes taking a mammogram and also going in for a biopsy procedure. Samples of tissue are collected with the help of a biopsy, and these samples are examined to see if the mass is benign or cancerous.

As mentioned earlier, if these lumps are noncancerous, they can be treated using natural remedies. However, if you have several lumps that are causing you discomfort and affecting the shape of your breast, you must check with your doctor. If the natural remedies for fibroadenoma do not work, your doctor will advise fibroadenoma surgery, which involves the removal of the lumps.

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