1. Think Clearly
"Mastalgia" can cause a woman to worry and the word "cancer" to pop into her mind. It is a medical term for breast pain. Pain should always be brought to a physician's attention, and the cause does need to be determined; however, there are some common reasons for breast pain. Pain accompanied by other symptoms such as lumps, knots, thickening or swelling requires an immediate medical evaluation.
2. Consider the Causes
Women in a range of ages experience breast pain for various reasons. Those with large breasts may have pain that travels into the back. Hormonal changes, such as those during menstrual cycles, can create breast pain. Medications can also initiate it, most often those with hormones, as in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Pregnancy and childbirth can cause discomfort. If a breast-feeding mom begins to run a fever with flu-like symptoms, she may have mastitis, an infection requiring medical care that is characterized by tenderness and redness.
3. Confirm It Is Benign Pain
Physicians sometimes group benign breast conditions that cause pain or lumps under "fibrocystic breast changes or conditions." The "conditions" may worsen during menstruation, so breast pain that does not ease up at the end of a cycle needs reviewing. Remember, severe, persistent pain in the breast must be diagnosed by a doctor.
"Fibroadenomas" are benign lumps formed from tissue. They are non-cancerous tumors found often in younger women. They can produce a moveable lump that if enlarged over time may produce discomfort. To verify a mass is a non-cancerous tumor, additional testing may be done. "Hyperplasia" is an abnormal build-up of cells--the two types of hyperplasia in breast tissue can cause pain. Hyperplasia is listed as a breast cancer risk, though just because you are at risk for a disease does not mean you will get it. Talk to your doctor about the type of hyperplasia you have and your risks.
4. Confirm It Is a Cyst
Premenopausal changes may cause the formation of cysts and related pain. According to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure website: "Up to a third of women between the ages of 35 and 50 have cysts in their breasts, though most cysts are too small to feel and can be detected only by examination with ultrasound."* These cysts are not cancerous, but if a woman does find one, she may feel anxiety. She needs to speak with her doctor to confirm that it is a cyst. If the cysts are painful, or interfering with breast exams, they can be drained of their fluid.
For your health and peace of mind, call your doctor's office to let them know the characteristics of your pain. Don't brush off that nagging voice that says, "This doesn't feel right."
This article is not designed to provide medical or professional services and is for informational use only. If you have, or suspect, a health problem, please consult your doctor.
* http://cms.komen.org/Komen/AboutBreastCancer/BreastFacts/WhatIsBenignBreastDisease
