7 Things the Doctor didn't Tell Me about Fibrocystic Changes

Most doctors have the most subtle and skilled way of telling you that yes, you are sick, here’s your prescrition, and can you please get out of my room in 5 minutes? (I have to make my kids’ pediatrician, Dr. Nandwani, an exception—she usually wants updates from my life, and tells hers too!) They don’t tell you everything you want to know. Now, of course I don’t want them to be my best friend after one consultation, nor do I want to prolong the agony of my fellow patients waiting outside. But hey, I think every patient deserves to be more well-informed when they go out of the doctor’s clinic, rather than be more confused.

Thank God for the internet. I get a myriad of information about any topic, especially about illnesses. Of course, I know we should not rely solely on everything I read, but after averaging the good data and weeding out the bad ones, I have a clearer idea of whatevechamacallit.

Talking about this fibrocystic changes, here are some things I found out about it:

1. Fybrocystic breast changes are normal and harmless. They are not cancerous and they do not increase the chance of getting cancer. However, it might be harder to detect a woman with this condition for cancer, so regular monitoring is a must. (MM: Okay, she told kinda told me about this. She advised me to do an ultrasound every 3 months--P900/test)

2. This condition can be tied to the changes in a woman’s monthly cycle. It happens usually before your menstrual period, and disappears after you start your period. (MM: Napansin ko nga!)

3. Women with fibrocystic changes may experience a persistent or intermittent breast aching or breast tenderness related to periodic swelling. Breasts and nipples may be tender or itchy. These symptoms are usually a temporary discomfort, but some feel extreme pain. (MM: I feel all of these, dang it!)

4. There’s no cure for this condition. It usually affects women from their 30’s, and the symptoms disappear after menopause. (MM: :-()

5. Have a healthy lifestyle. Duh!! Avoiding alcohol and smoking is a given. Studies also showed avoiding caffeine in coffee, Coke, black tea (green tea is okay), and chocolates may help. Don’t forget to exercise too. (MM: Check! And double check!)

6. Consider a high fiber diet consisting of whole grain, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Increasing our iodine intake from seafoods,not to mention omega-3 oil from fish is definitely worthwhile. (MM: Normally, I do this)

7. Although there is no medical evidence that anything we do will prevent the symptoms, some experts recommend taking the following supplements to help in the pain:

a.    Vitamin E (MM: Check!)

b.    Evening Primrose Oil (MM: The Hubby promised to buy for me)

c.     Vitamin B6 (MM: I take B-complex too)
d.  Magnesium (MM: Andami naman!)

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8. Go braless! Surprise, surprise. Numerous studies have linked breast cancer and fibrocystic changes  to wearing bra. 3 out of 4 who wore their bras 24 hours a day, developed cancer, while 1 out of 168 who never wore bra at all rarely or never acquired the disease. (Dressed to Kill, Singer and Grismaijer). It was found out that bras restrict and slow down the flow of the toxins and extra hormones from the breasts to the lymphatic system, thus cysts or cancerous cells may develop. A lot of women who went bra-free swear by the astounding effect this has done to their health and general well-being. If you are uncomfortable in going bra-free, try less restrictive support, like bras with no underwire or camisoles. But bra-free advocates will insist not to wear bra at all! (MM: Actually, I experience pain everytime I remove my bra at night time, so there must be truth in this!)

Probably not all of these things are conclusive, so doctors don’t tell us these things. Or maybe they think the less we know, the less we will be anxious. Or maybe they think they might give us false hope. But I think if they only said things like these to us, at least we would be more certain of ourselves, then our fears would be lessened. Well, that's just me. 

Shh! I’m running to SM to buy some camisoles and cotton bandeaus.