BREAST LUMPS AND CAFFEINE

I am a healthy 43 year old woman (who quit smoking four months ago) and have just found a rather large lump which is quite tender to the upper right of the nipple on my right breast.  I also recently gave up coffee because I have had trouble sleeping since I quit smoking, but I do drink Coke (usually non diet) on a fairly regular basis.  I have heard that coffee and colas can cause cystic breast lumps--I'm assuming due to the higher levels of caffiene.  I'm wondering if this lump is being caused by caffiene or homones or what?  I'm peri menopausal, but still having periods, and am due for my period in about a week.  I have been around a friend whose cycle is opposite mine quite a bit lately, and I think she is "throwing me off my clock", as sometimes happens with women.  Could the Coka cola and hormonal flux have caused this lump to show up?  Also, is green tea a better option, even though it's caffeinated?  I've got to have something to get me going!  I should mention also that I had early onset menstration (barely 11) and have never been pregnant.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear dimar:  Lumps can occur for a variety of reasons - both benign and malignant.  Some women have "fibrocystic" breast tissue whigh may become more prominent during certain times in the menstrual cycle and possibly with exposure to caffeine.  If caffeine is the culprit - caffeine is caffeine - whether it is coffee, soda, tea or chocolate.  Tea may contain less sugar, which is better for you but probably has nothing to do with your breast lump.  Having said this, any new lump that can be felt should be evaluated by a physician.

[jack60]

Hi Dimar,

   I do not want to be nozy but I would take an estimate guess that you are a person who normaly wear underwire bras.   If this is so, I would conclude that this type of bra that you wear, is the cause of your lump in your breast.   You are not the first one who I encounter and have lumps in their breasts, cysts, tumours, cancers.   I have quite a few of my clients who have their breast remove on account of the cancer and all were wearing underwire bras.

[Twocapes]

Jack - I don't want to appear nosy either, but what kind of "clients" do you have that get breast cancer from wearing underwire bras?

[jack60]

From what I can understand, you do not know too much about the lymphatic and circulatory system.   Underwire bras cut / block both of those systems off.   Before it happens to you, I would suggest that you study on it.

By the way, my clients are very responsible and wise persons who think before acting.   I am a Special Massage Therapist with knowledge in Massage Therapy, Acupressure, Reflexology and specialist in pinched and / or dislocated nerves.