It's normal for your breasts to feel tender at certain times, such as just before your period and in early pregnancy. This is caused by normal changes in your hormones.
But you might want treatment if your breasts are so painful that this stops you enjoying life.
There are two main types of breast pain.
Cyclical breast pain is very common. It's worst just before your period.
Non-cyclical breast pain isn't linked to your periods.Your breasts feel painful some of
the time, or even constantly. Usually, there doesn't seem to be a cause.
Sometimes it can be caused by things like an infection. If that's the case, your doctor
may give you antibiotics.
Many women worry that breast pain means they have breast cancer. But pain on its own
is not a common symptom of breast cancer. Less than 1 in 10 women with breast cancer
have pain as their main symptom. But if you are worried about breast pain, see your doctor.
Your doctor will examine your breasts to check for signs of cancer. The main signs are
a lump, a sore that won't heal, or changes to the skin. If your doctor thinks it's necessary,
you'll go to a specialist for further tests, within two weeks.
What are the symptoms?
Cyclical breast pain can be dull, heavy or aching. It starts in the two weeks before your
period. The pain may get worse until your period starts and then get better.You may get
pain in both breasts.
Non-cyclical breast pain can be sharp and burning. It may come and go, or be there all
the time.You may get pain in just one breast.
See your doctor urgently if you have:
• Discharge from your nipples
• Signs of infection, like redness, pus or fever
• A new lump in one of your breasts.
Breast pain and breast cancer
Women with breast pain often worry that the pain is caused by breast cancer. But, the first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. Pain is not usually an early symptom. (Well advanced breast cancer can be painful though.) In about 1 in 20 cases of breast cancer the first symptom is pain.
Therefore, even though breast pain is not likely to be caused by cancer, see your doctor if you have any concerns about breast pain or any other breast symptoms. In particular, see a doctor promptly if you feel any lump in a breast.
