WHAT ARE FIBROADENOMAS?

• Fibroadenomas are benign (not cancerous) lumps that develop in the breast tissue. Breast tissue consists of lobules (milk-producing glands) and fibroadenomas develop from the lobules.
• Fibroadenomas are one of the most common causes of a breast lump and can develop in either one or both breasts.
• Fibroadenomas can occur in women of any age but often develop during puberty and so are most commonly found in young women.
• Fibroadenomas do not usually appear for the first time or grow after menopause except in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
• They may however persist after menopause and are sometimes found incidentally on ultrasound or mammograms in postmenopausal women.
• Fibroadenomas may grow bigger during pregnancy and breast feeding but often get smaller again afterwards. This is quite normal and nothing to worry about.

HOW ARE THEY FOUND?

• Fibroadenomas are usually painless but sometimes they may feel tender or even painful, particularly just before a period.
• They usually become noticeable as a lump in the breast or they are found by chance on a routine mammogram or ultrasound test.
• Fibroadenomas are round or oval in shape and are usually firm or rubbery in consistency. They move easily under the skin. If you see your GP because you found a lump, they will sometimes be able to say whether it is likely to be a fibroadenoma but they are still likely to refer you for a mammogram and/or an ultrasound scan.