title: Cyclical breast pain--some observations and the difficulties in treatment.
abstract: This paper describes a retrospective study of the clinical aspects and treatment of 566 women with cyclical breast pain over a seven-year period. Figures for the effectiveness of simple treatments including some homeopathic drugs are reported. The article concludes that reassurance is the fundamental treatment. Good responses are obtained from simple and safe drugs (oil of evening primrose, vitamin B6) with minimal side-effects. The use of stronger hormone drugs such as tamoxifen and danazol was only necessary in a small proportion of patients and resulted in a higher incidence of side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Longmore Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: McFayden
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chetty
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010507:Periodicity; D010938:Plant Oils; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D006728:Hormones; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D011736:Pyridoxine