Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/12/2008

Question
I am 28 yrs old with no history of Breast Cancer in the family. I felt a lump in my breast on Sunday and this past Tuesday went to my Ob GYn who said she was not worried, but sent me for an ultrasound to confirm (she said mamogram would be less useful than an ultrasound due to my age).
I had the ultrasound today (Thursday) and they found 2 benign lumps in my left breast. They told me they were fibrostyc (sp).
The doctor at the breast facility told me that they can be surgically removed or drained with a needle. I feel that maybe they will go down on their own, so her mention of surgery concerned me. I am an avid caffine addict so I decided to cut that down, I have also been very poor about my birth control pills regualting my period so I think all these factors are possibly contributing to the lumps.
Can you advise your thoughts about how I should proceed- my obgyn is supposed to discuss options with me soon, but your opinion would be helpful.  thnak you so much!

Answer
In order to confirm that these 2 lesions are fibroadenomas and therefore not dangerous I suggest that you demand ultrasound guided needle biopsies of them. I do not think your caffeine habits have anything to do with this. Your birth control pills may have some influence but it is far from certain. You probably have a tendency for a fibrocystic breast condition which in that case is determined by genetic and hormonal factors. It is not dangerous in itself.