Women Who Have Non-Cancerous Breast Pain Sought for Research at Saint Louis University

“So many women have been conditioned to believe their cyclic breast pain is normal and they have to tolerate it,” says Raul Artal, M.D., principal study investigator and chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at Saint Louis University. “They shouldn’t have to suffer. Many women who have fibrocystic breast disease are hurting, and we are looking for an effective treatment to ease their pain.”

Fibrocystic breast disease is a relatively common benign condition that affects about a third of all women.

Their breasts may become tender, swollen or develop lumps, which can be felt during a breast examination and are non-cancerous. For most women, the symptoms coincide with their monthly menstrual cycle and are a temporary discomfort. However, about 11 percent report moderate or severe breast pain at least seven days of their monthly cycle.

Women currently manage their breast pain by wearing supportive bras, placing heat packs on tender breasts or taking hormones, vitamin E or evening of primrose oil or painkillers such as Tylenol, ibuprofen or narcotics.

“We are trying to find something that offers better pain relief,” Dr. Artal says.

Researchers are investigating whether a non-hormonal medication that is taken once a day can reduce the pain, density of breast tissue and lumps in the breasts caused by fibrocystic breast disease. They are recruiting between 150 and 175 women between the ages of 18 and 50 nationally, and expect 20 volunteers will come from the Saint Louis University study site.

The study lasts eight months and involves up to eight visits for study-related examinations and lab tests. Half of the women will receive the study medication and the other half a placebo. Women will keep a daily diary and take medication once a day for six months.

Women who qualify must have moderate or severe pain or discomfort for seven days a month around their period. Those who have thyroid problems are not eligible for the study and those over 40 or older must have a mammogram to qualify for participation.

Research will be conducted at Saint Louis University Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, 1031 Bellevue Ave., in Richmond Heights.

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first M.D. degree west of the Mississippi River. Saint Louis University School of Medicine is a pioneer in geriatric medicine, organ transplantation, chronic disease prevention, cardiovascular disease, neurosciences and vaccine research, among others. The School of Medicine trains physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health services on a local, national and international level.

To learn more about the research or volunteer, call (314) 781-4669.

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