multiple breast cysts

[lauriesmb]

My wife is a nurse and has recently been quite concerned about a couple of lumps that she felt in her breast, after referral to the breat clinic/doctor, she has just had a mammogram and an ultrasound done, and the ultrasound has shown up over 20 cysts in both breasts.

She has had the odd cyst in the past and had it drained and its been ok, but its quite a worry that this ultrasound has shown up so many in varying sizes, and the doctor who did the ultrasound seemed pretty unconcerned about this, but my wife is naturally very disturbed by it.
My wife said that how would she possibly know if she was to develop  lump that was not a cyst, if so many are evident? and we have not had any satisfactory answers to this by the medical people dealing with it.
I am worried for my wife and also because she is very upset to the point that its causing her stress, and as she is a highly respected and dedicated nurse on a neuological ward, it is also affecting her at work.
Could anyone offer some useful and supportive advice please?
thanks
laurie

[schultzi]

Hi Laurie. I too have fibrocystic breast condition. I learned about it two years ago and was panicking because I have a gazillion cysts too...so many quite frankly that doing a breast exam is meaningless (it is all lumps...i don't know what "flat" feels like). I've done quite a bit of research on this one (read Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book) and have become "at peace" with my cysts...if there is anything good about them, it is that you can usually tell they are cycts (hard, move around to touch, hurt mid month). As I understand, the biggest risk with cysts is not that they turn into something else, but they may "block" a view of something else more serious in the breast.  Therein, regular mammograms with follow up ultra sound is key

When I was panicking, my doctor finally phoned me and said "live your life!"...so I am :)

[cyn17]

Hi Laurie - Sounds like your wife has fibrous breasts, like many women. Now that she knows this, it's important to get regular mammos to check on any possible changes. She does have the challenge of not knowing when she's feeling a new lump when so many are already present...I too have that challenge. Getting yearly or 6 month mammos is her best option for monitoring changes. Also, she shouldn't worry if she always has to follow up every mammo with ultra sound and/or MRI...these are just various tools to help the docs get a better view into the fibrous breasts. The more she educates herself about fibrous breasts, the calmer (I hope) she will feel. This can be an emotional roller coaster...allow her to talk about it and get it out. Encourage her to ask  a lot of questions...over and over, if needed.