In areas of the body where there are no or limited pain receptors, pain may be felt somewhere else. Pain is a complex mechanism, and it is always best to have it properly diagnosed. The breasts are made of fat, connective tissue, ducts, blood vessels and lymph nodes, but not muscle. This means that any "muscular" pain felt in the breast would be from a problem concerning the chest muscles. Some causes of breast pain are not serious, while others may be a signal of an underlying disease.
Pectoralis Major Strain
The pectoralis major is a large muscle in the chest that lies directly under the breasts. Activities such as raking, shoveling and lifting can strain this muscle, notes the Harvard Medical School. Excessive, forceful or chronic coughing can also strain the muscles in the chest. A pectoralis major strain can cause pain that radiates into the breast.
However, since breast pain often occurs in women due to the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual and menopause, there may be a delay in seeking treatment. The good news is that if the pain is a muscular strain, it can be easily treated by not overdoing activities with the upper body and taking time to stretch the chest muscles.
Fibromyalgia
Conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic pain syndrome can also cause pain in the muscles in the chest, states MayoClinic.com. While the exact causes of these conditions remain unknown as of September 2010, they can lead to widespread muscle pain and many other symptoms.
In addition, the breasts may become tender and sore. For some patients, the symptoms are mild and intermittent, but for others the pain can become disabling.
Breast Cancer
Any pain or discomfort in the breast may raise concern about breast cancer. Since there are no muscles in the breast, pain from breast cancer would be due to changes in the tissues. One warning sign of breast cancer is a very localized area of pain.
However, breast pain is not a common sign of breast cancer, especially in the early stages. This is why getting regular mammograms and clinical breast exams is so important. If there are concerns about breast cancer, then along with localized pain, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website recommends being on the lookout for any changes in color, shape or size of the breasts, an inwardly turned nipple, any nipple discharge or a puckering on the skin.
