Caffeine can aggravate breast cysts

Caffeine can aggravate breast cysts Peter gott, M.D.

PETER GOTT

Reader who is on hormone replacement therapy asks Dr. Gott if drinking coffee is an option.

United Media

Dear Dr. Gott: Please advise about whether I can continue having my morning cup of coffee. My gynecologist doesn't want me to have any. I'm 51 and on hormone replacement therapy. I do have fibrocystic breasts, but there is no family history of breast cancer. I try to maintain a healthful lifestyle, but I really want that coffee.

Dear Reader: Some people are extremely sensitive to the effects of caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee and many teas and colas. The drug can cause irritability, nervousness, insomnia, rapid pulse and other symptoms. It can also worsen breast cysts.

One of the most common female complaints is soreness and tenderness due to fibrocystic disease, a poorly understood disorder marked by breast discomfort and swelling. The condition, which appears to run in cycles, may be aggravated by caffeine. Therefore most gynecologists advise women suffering from this disease to shun caffeine-containing beverages, substituting decaf coffee or other suitable beverages instead. Because fibrocystic breast disease is not a hazard to health, you have options.

On one hand, you can follow your doctor's advice and see if you feel better.

On the other, you can enjoy your cup of morning coffee and put up with the breast discomfort.

The choice is yours.

Remember, too, that hormone replacement therapy can cause sore breasts, because the drugs stimulate mammary tissue. Also, recent studies have indicated HRT as being dangerous because it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. Therefore, as a first step, your gynecologist may choose to reduce and eventually discontinue your HRT. This option will limit the health risks from the drugs and could relieve your fibrocystic symptoms, even if you continue to drink coffee.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Breast Cancer and Disorders." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: On advice from a friend, I began a home remedy for the pain of my arthritis: 8 ounces of purple grape juice to which is added one tablespoon of liquid Certo, taken once a day. My pain disappeared. Am I just lucky or is there something to this treatment?

Dear Reader: The grape juice/Certo combination is an option that I described several years ago as a harmless and inexpensive remedy for arthritis pain. My reader response was surprisingly favorable; people did experience benefits, much as they have with Vicks VapoRub for nail fungus. Therefore, while you may be lucky to have resurrected this treatment, I believe that grape juice and Certo holds definite promise for many arthritis sufferers. There is something to it.

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