simple breast cyst

I had a 1 cm cyst show on a mammogram , it did not show on ultrasound but it did show on MRI. I was advised to return for a mammogram in 6 months. Is there anything else I should do  ? I am 60 and post menopause.

[zouzi]

Hi,
Breast cysts are common, particularly in women age 40-60.
Almost all breast cysts identified as "simple cysts" by MRI or other tests are benign in nature and never become cancerous.I don't think that there is anything you should do except to follow your doctor's recommendation to have a mammogram in 6 months to make sure that there are no changes.This follow up is usually required by radiologists,even though the cyst has benign characteristics.
Please don't worry,if there was any suspicion about this little cyst,a biopsy of some sort, would have certainly been recommended.
If during these 6 months, you notice that the lump has increased is size or becomes painful,then you should contact your doctor/radiologist who could perform a very simple procedure called FNA ( fine needle aspiration) so that you can find relief almost immediately when the fluid in the cyst is aspirated.
Wishing you all the best!

[Tinabudde]

One thing you can do is if you drink coffee or soda pop that is caffinated stop drinking it, as the caffinated drinks are known to cause cysts.  I have 10 cysts in 1 breast it hurt so bad to do the mammograms, I used to drink about 15 cups of coffee in a day, I slowly stopped and cut down to decafe 2 times a day and all the cysts went away so thats one thing you can do.  If it grows or hurts then go back to the dr before the 6 months.

[cherryfairy]

Thank you for such a detailed answer- it was very unsettling with different tests showing or not showing this cyst! I will get checked again in 6 mo.

[cherryfairy]

Thanks - Maybe I had too much iced coffee this summer!