breast cyst

i had a breast cyst surgery on my left breast 4 years ago but it was a fibrocystic one.but then it went back after a year(same spot) and last year i found out another cyst on my right breast again.i am so much scared because it is painful sometimes and they are pretty big.is it dangerous to keep these cysts before undergoing a breast surgery?please help.thanks!    

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Fibrocystic disease is a benign (non-cancerous) condition which does not usually progress to cancer, so it is not dangerous if you decide to forgo surgery particularly if they are not causing any symptoms.  The growth of these cysts is related to the rise and fall of the body's estrogen hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.  When the body's estrogen levels peak during mid-cycle, these cysts can subsequently grow bigger and may become painful, but such symptoms should decrease with a decrease in hormonal levels at the onset of menstruation.  Fibrocystic disease can recur for as long as a woman still has her monthly period.