Does breast pain signal breast cancer?

I receive email messages every day from women worried that their breast pain means something ominous, like breast cancer. Actually, breast pain is a common symptom, especially in teenagers and women who are nearing menopause. I reassure these women that statistics are on their side: Only about 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer experience breast pain as a symptom. Much more often breast pain is associated with one of the following:

Hormonal changes. As hormone levels rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle, breast tissue can become tender and, in some women, quite uncomfortable. A classic example of hormone-induced pain may occur in women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, a time when hormones are surging and breasts are starting to prepare for lactation. Doctors usually determine that hormonal changes are to blame for breast pain by asking women questions about the pattern of their breast pain and its relationship to specific phases of the monthly cycle.

Breast cysts. A common cause of breast pain, breast cysts are benign (not cancerous) sacs full of fluid that form when a woman’s milk-producing glands become enlarged. Cysts are diagnosed usually with the aid of a breast ultrasound; ultrasound images can usually clearly show a fluid-filled round or oval-shaped object inside the breast. When breast cysts cause pain or become too large, doctors can insert a needle to draw the fluid out.

Breast infection. Both mastitis—inflammation usually caused by bacteria—and breast abscess, which is a collection of pus resulting from an infection—can be very painful and warrant urgent care in the form of antibiotics and, sometimes, additional treatment. Breast infections are more common in women of childbearing age, especially if they are breast-feeding.

Fibrocystic condition. This used to be called “fibrocystic disease,” but thank heavens it isn’t anymore! It is not a disease; it’s a very common condition that basically means you have lumpy breasts. Some patients with fibrocystic breasts report cyclic pain; others experience more chronic discomfort. Some patients report that taking vitamin E regularly helps reduce pain over time.

What to do?
Any time a woman experiences a new breast abnormality, including breast pain, she should visit her doctor for a proper evaluation. Providing details as to when the pain began, where it’s located in the breast, and whether it is constant or intermittent is valuable information that can help your doctor decipher the cause. A mammogram and ultrasound will probably be part of the investigative process.
So, got breast pain? Don’t panic. The probability that it’s cancer is very low, but be smart and get it checked out. No one should suffer with breast pain, and no one needs to.