thickening of breast

I regularly do bse's and have had normal mammograms including one done a month ago. This week, during my regular exam at the doctor's office, she noted a "thickening" in my right breast tissue. I am 54 years old, menopausal, not taking hormones. She suggested taking 400mg Vit. E BID for 6 weeks and seeing if that changes anything. Of course, I am now obsessing over my right breast, noticing some heaviness there and some discomfort-transitory shooting tingles, sensitivity. What can you tell me about this kind of change at my age?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear margof:  It is difficult to know what your doctor may have been feeling by describing it as a thickening.  I am aware of vitamin E being prescribed primarily for breast pain or for hot flushes.  Breast pain/discomfort is not usually indicative of cancer.  You might ask for futher clarification of this "thickening."  You could also seek another opinion to see if any additional evaluation would be appropriate.