by Ahmad Sadli

Created on: July 10, 2009   Last Updated: August 14, 2009

Breast cyst in women is one of the results that you may find after doing a mammogram test. Now what is actually breast cyst?

Breast cyst is a benign, noncancerous fluid-filled mass that appear in your breast tissue. They can either appear alone or in groups. It may feels like a soft grape or water-filled balloon. Sometimes it may feel firm. Their symptoms may include a smooth and easily movable round or oval breast lump with distinct edges. Sometimes there is breast pain or tenderness in the area of the lump. There are also decreased lump size and resolution of other signs and symptoms after your period.

Cyst is not usually associated with breast cancer. Somehow they sometimes can cause breast pain. A doctor may drain the fluid out from cyst with a thin needle to relieve the pain and examine the fluid. Further analysis will reveal whether is cancerous or not. Cancer in the cyst wall is rare, but it is still possible.

Breast cyst also can be felt for yourself when you are doing self-examination. They will feel squishy and smooth. Perhaps there is some softness to it, a little like a water balloon. A cyst may be painful if it is large enough and disturbing any tender area.

The actual cause of breast cyst is unknown, though effect of injury may likely be one of the possible causes. Hormonal changes may also influence the appearance of breast cyst. If you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you are at risk to get breast cyst also. Breast cysts also can develop when an overgrowth of glands and connective tissue (fibrocystic changes) block milk ducts, which causing them to dilate and fill with fluid.

The most common group to get breast cyst is women who are 35 to 50 years old and experiencing premenopausal. During regular menstrual cycle, your breast produces and absorbs fluid in response to hormonal changing of pattern. Excess estrogen may stimulate the breast to produce fluid more than it can be absorbed, which results in the excess fluid accumulating in the form of small sacs or cysts.

Women may have small cysts without realizing it or without any disturbance, pain, or bumpiness. They may even did not bother at all. In general, breast cysts are rather common. In some, many cysts develop frequently, sometimes as part of fibrocystic beast disease. In others, cysts never develop.

A cyst by its nature usually does not need any specific treatment, but a doctor may drain the fluid out if it is uncomfortable or further analysis is needed. Other options may include physiologic dosages of Natural Progesterone without estrogen.

Psychological aspect also seems to play a role in women wellness. The increased anxiety and fear for instance, will lead to a situation of increased cell membrane rigidity, and decreased excretion of chemical estrogen, resulting in fibrocystic breast disease that is related with breast cysts.

Potential problems actually can be detected early, thus reducing the risk of major damage. Do examine your breasts regularly and have a mammogram test as recommended by your doctor or specialist.

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