When To Worry About Breast Pain?

When to see a doctor – Make an appointment with your doctor if breast pain:

Continues daily for more than a couple of weeks Occurs in one specific area of your breast Seems to be getting worse over time Interferes with daily activities Awakens you from sleep

Breast cancer risk is very low in people whose main symptom is breast pain, but if your doctor recommends an evaluation, it’s important to follow through.

What kind of pain indicates breast cancer?

Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is an important part of your breast health. Although having regular screening tests for breast cancer is important, mammograms do not find every breast cancer. This means it’s also important for you to know what your breasts normally look and feel like, so you’ll be aware of any changes in your breasts.

Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt) Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel) Breast or nipple pain Nipple retraction (turning inward) Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened Nipple discharge (other than breast milk) Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone (Sometimes this can be a sign of breast cancer spread even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt.)

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions, Still, it’s important to have any new breast mass, lump, or other change checked by an experienced health care professional so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

Written by References

Henry NL, Shah PD, Haider I, et al. Chapter 88: Cancer of the Breast. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology,6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020. Morrow M. Chapter 3: Physical Exam of the Breast.

In: Harris JR, Lippman ME, Morrow M, Osborne CK, eds. Diseases of the Breast,5th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2014. National Cancer Institute. Physician Data Query (PDQ). Breast Cancer Treatment (Adult) – Patient Version.2021. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-treatment-pdq on October 13, 2021.

Sabel MS. Clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and clinical evaluation of a palpable breast mass. UpToDate.2021. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-differential-diagnosis-and-clinical-evaluation-of-a-palpable-breast-mass on October 13, 2021.

1. References Henry NL, Shah PD, Haider I, et al.
2. Chapter 88: Cancer of the Breast.
3. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds.
4. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology,6th ed.
5. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020. Morrow M.
6. Chapter 3: Physical Exam of the Breast.
7. In: Harris JR, Lippman ME, Morrow M, Osborne CK, eds.

Diseases of the Breast,5th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2014. National Cancer Institute. Physician Data Query (PDQ). Breast Cancer Treatment (Adult) – Patient Version.2021. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-treatment-pdq on October 13, 2021.

Sabel MS. Clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and clinical evaluation of a palpable breast mass. UpToDate.2021. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-differential-diagnosis-and-clinical-evaluation-of-a-palpable-breast-mass on October 13, 2021. Last Revised: January 14, 2022 American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material.

For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy,

What are the types of breast pain?

Types – There are two basic types of breast pain – cyclic and non-cyclic. Cyclic pain comes and goes with your menstrual cycle. An example would be breast pain or tenderness at the same time during your cycle. Many women experience breast pain and tenderness about two weeks before their period starts.

1. Cyclic pain accounts for about 75 percent of all breast pain.
2. It’s most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50, and it usually resolves after menopause.
3. Cyclic breast pain tends to occur in the upper, outer areas of both breasts, and it can also be felt in the underarm area.
4. Non-cyclic pain is not related to the menstrual cycle, and it doesn’t usually come and go in a regular pattern.

Most people who experience non-cyclical breast pain are women who are post-menopausal and between 40 and 50 years old. The pain is often described as a tightening, a burning sensation, or breast soreness. It can be constant or intermittent.

Why I am getting pain in my breast?

– Tender or swollen breasts are usually related to the hormonal changes that take place before a period. This type of breast pain usually causes tenderness in both breasts, and it may extend to the armpit. When breast pain is related to the menstrual cycle, it is known as cyclic breast pain.

mood swings acne headachesbloating diarrhea or constipation tiredness trouble sleeping

PMS is temporary, and it usually goes away several days after a period begins. In the meantime, people can treat the symptoms by taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, wearing a comfortable and supportive bra, and using gentle heat to soothe the pain.

Does pain in breast mean cancer?

Pain – Although most breast cancers do not cause pain in the breast or nipple, some do. More often, women have breast pain or discomfort related to their menstrual cycle. Also, some non-cancer breast conditions, such as mastitis, may cause a more sudden pain.

Where does pain start with breast cancer?

– Breast cancer is not usually painful, A painless lump in one of the breasts tends to be the first symptom of breast cancer. However, around 2–7% of people with breast cancer experience pain as the primary symptom. Pain caused by breast cancer is typically gradual.

unexplained pain in any area of the breastnipple painunusual changes to the breast size, shape, or skin that may accompany paina new lump in the breast or armpitswelling of one part of the breastdimpled breast skinflushed or flaky skin in the nipplenipple discharge (other than breast milk), including blood

It is important to remember that the above symptoms may result from other conditions that are not cancer. If a person is concerned about any worrying symptoms, they should seek medical advice. Doctors recommend performing frequent (usually monthly) breast self-exams to help detect cancer early and seek prompt treatment. Learn more about how to perform a breast self-exam here.

Where is pain located with breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer symptoms – Metastatic breast cancer symptoms depend on the part of the body to which the cancer has spread and its stage. Sometimes, metastatic disease may not cause any symptoms.

If the breast or chest wall is affected, symptoms may include pain, nipple discharge, or a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm. If the bones are affected, symptoms may include pain, fractures, constipation or decreased alertness due to high calcium levels. If tumors form in the lungs, symptoms may include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing, chest wall pain or extreme fatigue, If the liver is affected, symptoms may include nausea, extreme fatigue, increased abdominal girth, swelling of the feet and hands due to fluid collection and yellowing or itchy skin. If breast cancer spreads to the brain or spinal cord and forms tumors, symptoms may include pain, confusion, memory loss, headache, blurred or double vision, difficulty with speech, difficulty with movement or seizures.

Can stress cause pain in breast?

What is cyclical breast pain? – The most common type of breast pain is linked to the menstrual cycle. It is nearly always hormonal. Some women begin to have pain around the time of ovulation. The pain continues until the start of their menstrual cycle. The pain may be barely noticeable.

Or it may be so severe that you can’t wear tight-fitting clothing or handle close contact of any kind. The pain may be felt in only one breast. Or it may be felt as a radiating feeling in the underarm area. Some healthcare providers have women chart their breast pain to figure out if the pain is cyclical or not.

After a few months, the link between the menstrual cycle and breast pain will appear. Researchers continue to study the role that hormones play in cyclical mastalgia. One study has suggested that some women with this condition have less progesterone than they do estrogen in the second half of the menstrual cycle.

Other studies have found that an abnormality in the hormone prolactin may affect breast pain. Hormones can also affect cyclical breast pain due to stress. Breast pain can increase or change its pattern with the hormone changes that happen during times of stress. Hormones may not provide the total answer to cyclical breast pain.

That’s because the pain is often more severe in one breast than in the other. Hormones would tend to affect both breasts equally. Many researchers believe that the answer may be a combination of hormonal activity and something in the breast that responds to this activity.

What can pain in Left breast mean?

Pain under or in the left breast could have many possible causes, such as injury, infection, hormones, and lung problems. Sometimes left breast pain can be related to your heart, so it’s important to first rule this out before considering other causes. This article will walk you through the causes of left breast pain, the other symptoms to watch for, and when to see your healthcare provider. Verywell / Emily Roberts

Who should I see for pain in breast?

Diagnosis – If you have breast pain, it’s important to make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. The good news is that most cases of breast pain are mild, self-limiting (will resolve without treatment), and benign (noncancerous). It’s still important to get a diagnosis and treatment in case there is a serious cause or if your pain won’t resolve quickly on its own.

At what age do females get breast cancer?

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer? Studies have shown that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence your risk include being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older.

Is pain the first symptom of breast cancer?

– We often associate pain with something wrong, so when people feel tenderness or pain in their breast, they often think of breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer. Several other factors can cause pain. Clinically known as mastalgia, breast pain can also be caused by the following:

the fluctuation of hormones caused by menstruationsome birth control pills some fertility treatments a bra that doesn’t fit wellbreast cystslarge breasts, which may be accompanied by neck, shoulder, or back pain stress

What does a cancer pain feel like?

Symptoms and Complications – Cancer pain can be described as dull aching, pressure, burning, or tingling. The type of pain often gives clues about the sources of the pain. For example, pain caused by damage to nerves is usually described as burning or tingling, whereas pain affecting internal organs is often described as a sensation of pressure.

1. The type of pain someone experiences also says a lot about their cancer.
2. Pain and changes in pain can precede other signs of disease or complications a few months ahead.
3. The way someone feels a pain might be the only tip-off to a potentially life-threatening condition.
4. For this reason, it’s important to communicate changes in how you feel to your doctor.

Cancer pain involves many complex relationships between complicating factors. It often involves pain caused by other problems that are indirectly started or made worse by the spread of cancer. For example, shingles, a painful skin infection, is far more common in people with cancer, possibly because of damage to their immune systems.

• But immune system problems may be further complicated by side effects from cancer treatments that also contribute to cancer pain.
• Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may significantly harm tissues and nerves, and surgery can damage nerves.
• Many people with cancer take pain relievers just to offset these problems, which may continue after the cancer is treated.

The psychological effects of cancer pain can be devastating. Pain makes suffering worse by increasing feelings of helplessness, anxiety, depression, and despair. Whatever the status of the cancer, uncontrolled pain may prevent someone from working productively, enjoying recreation, or taking pleasure in family and their surroundings.

physically (people feel weak) psychologically (people feel unable to cope) socially (people’s relationships suffer) spiritually (suffering may make people question their beliefs)

What percentage of breast pain is cancer?

While it’s understandable for a woman to be concerned that she has breast cancer after feeling pain in that area, it’s unlikely that pain is an indicator of the condition. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, Clinical Chief of Breast Surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, says only a very small percentage of women, around 1%, will be diagnosed with breast cancer after feeling pain in their breast.

How does breast cancer pain feel like?

– Breast cancer lumps don’t all feel the same. Your doctor should examine any lump, whether or not it meets the most common symptoms listed below. Most commonly, a cancerous lump in the breast:

is a hard massis painlesshas irregular edgesis immobile (doesn’t move when pushed)appears in the upper outer portion of your breastgrows over time

Not all cancerous lumps will meet these criteria, and a cancerous lump that has all of these traits isn’t typical. A cancerous lump may feel rounded, soft, and tender and can occur anywhere in the breast. In some cases, the lump can even be painful. Some women also have dense, fibrous breast tissue.

What does early stage breast cancer feel like?

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer? – Breast cancer can have different symptoms for different people. Most don’t notice any signs at all. The most common symptom is a lump in your breast or armpit, Others include skin changes, pain, a nipple that pulls inward, and unusual discharge from your nipple.

Is breast cancer pain continuous?

How Breast Cancer Pain May Feel – While many types of breast pain are not cancerous, pain in only one breast may be cause for calling your doctor. Benign breast pain is often on both sides. (An exception is nonhormonally related breast pain, which is usually on one side.) Breast cancer pain can be persistent and very specific, usually hurting in just one spot.

Is breast cancer more common in left breast?

Is breast cancer more common in the left or right breast? Breast cancer occurs more frequently in the left breast than the right. The left breast is 5%-10% more likely to develop cancer than the right breast.

What does the pain feel like when you have breast cancer?

– Breast cancer can cause changes in skin cells that lead to feelings of pain, tenderness, and discomfort in the breast. If a lump is present, it is not painful. Although breast cancer is often painless, it is important not to ignore any signs or symptoms that could be due to breast cancer.

Is pain the first symptom of breast cancer?

– We often associate pain with something wrong, so when people feel tenderness or pain in their breast, they often think of breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer. Several other factors can cause pain. Clinically known as mastalgia, breast pain can also be caused by the following:

the fluctuation of hormones caused by menstruationsome birth control pills some fertility treatments a bra that doesn’t fit wellbreast cystslarge breasts, which may be accompanied by neck, shoulder, or back pain stress

Is breast cancer pain continuous?

How Breast Cancer Pain May Feel – While many types of breast pain are not cancerous, pain in only one breast may be cause for calling your doctor. Benign breast pain is often on both sides. (An exception is nonhormonally related breast pain, which is usually on one side.) Breast cancer pain can be persistent and very specific, usually hurting in just one spot.

Can breast pain be something other than cancer?

Overview – Breast pain (mastalgia) can be described as tenderness, throbbing, sharp, stabbing, burning pain or tightness in the breast tissue. The pain may be constant or it may occur only occasionally, and it can occur in men, women and transgender people. Breast pain can range from mild to severe. It may occur:

Just a few days a month, in the two to three days leading up to a menstrual period. This normal, mild-to-moderate pain affects both breasts. A week or longer each month, starting before a period and sometimes continuing through the menstrual cycle. The pain may be moderate or severe, and affects both breasts. Throughout the month, not related to a menstrual cycle.

In men, breast pain is most commonly caused by a condition called “gynecomastia” (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh). This refers to an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue that’s caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly.


Mujahid Karam Ba