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Breast pain is a common concern for many women, with around 15% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer experiencing pain. However, it is important to note that breast pain alone is rarely an indicator of breast cancer. While cancerous tumors are typically not painful, they can cause discomfort in some cases. Inflammatory breast cancer, for example, often causes pain and exhibits distinct symptoms such as redness and skin thickening. In most cases, breast pain can be attributed to various factors, including hormonal changes, infections, and even muscle strain. It is always advisable to consult a doctor if you experience any unusual or persistent breast pain to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is breast pain as a symptom of breast cancer? | Breast pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer. Only about 15% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer feel pain from it, and when it gets to that point, it will be obvious where the pain originates. |
| What causes breast pain? | Breast pain can be caused by several factors, including hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, infection, stress, age, skin lesions, and boils. |
| What should you do if you experience breast pain? | If you experience breast pain that is new, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms such as lumps, swelling, or changes to the nipple, it is recommended to consult a doctor or GP for examination and advice. |
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What You'll Learn
Breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer
Breast pain is a common concern for many women, and it is understandable that it may cause alarm and concern for breast cancer. However, it is important to know that breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer. In fact, only about 1% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer after experiencing breast pain.
There are many other possible causes of breast pain. For instance, cyclical breast pain is linked to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. This type of pain is usually mild to severe and can include a feeling of heaviness, tenderness, burning, prickling, stabbing, or tightness. It typically affects both breasts but can also occur in just one. Fibrocystic breasts, which are characterised by fluid-filled cysts, can also cause breast pain and are not necessarily linked to breast cancer.
Sometimes, pain that feels like it's in the breast can actually be coming from elsewhere in the body, such as a pulled muscle in the chest. This is known as chest wall pain or extra-mammary pain. It can be caused by other medical conditions such as angina or gallstones. Additionally, infections such as mastitis or a breast abscess can also cause breast pain.
While breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer, it is still important to be vigilant and consult a doctor if you have any concerns. Schedule an appointment with your GP if you experience new or unusual breast pain or if you have other symptoms such as a lump, swelling, changes to the nipple, or a change in colour. Your doctor will be able to examine your breasts and advise you on the appropriate treatment or further investigations.
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Chest wall pain can be caused by a pulled muscle
While breast cancer can cause muscle-like pain, it is rare for pain in the breasts to be a sign of breast cancer. Only about 15% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer experience pain from the cancer, and in such cases, it is obvious where the pain originates. Typically, a cancerous tumour will feel like a "small rock inside tofu".
If you suspect that you have a pulled chest muscle, you should stop activity as soon as you notice pain and apply ice or a cold pack to the affected area for 20 minutes up to three times a day. You may also wrap any areas of inflammation with an elastic bandage and keep your chest elevated, especially at night. Mild pulls should heal within a few weeks. If your pain is not going away with home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Chest pain can be indicative of more serious conditions, such as a heart attack, angina, heartburn, infections, inflammation, or panic attacks. If you experience new chest pain, it is best to seek medical care immediately.
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Breast cancer can cause muscle pain when a tumour is obvious
While breast pain is common in women of all ages, it is rarely a sign of breast cancer. In fact, only about 1% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer after feeling pain in their breast. However, once diagnosed, about 15% of patients with breast cancer feel pain from the cancer. This occurs when the tumour grows big enough to be felt and is usually obvious.
Breast cancer typically does not cause pain. If a tumour grows large enough to be felt, it will feel like a rock in the breast tissue. Cancerous tumours are hard and irregular in size. When cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause pain in the affected bones, which may be felt in the muscles.
If you are experiencing new or unusual breast pain, it is important to see your doctor. They will examine your breasts and ask about the type and severity of pain you are experiencing. They may also recommend a mammogram or other imaging tests to check for any underlying causes.
While breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer, it can be caused by other conditions such as infections, fibrocystic breast changes, or changes in hormone levels. Chest wall pain, which is pain that feels like it's coming from the breast but originates elsewhere, can be caused by a pulled muscle in the chest, angina, or gallstones.
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Inflammatory breast cancer is associated with breast pain
While breast pain is common among women of all ages, it is rarely a sign of breast cancer. Only about 15% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer experience pain from the cancer, and in such cases, the pain's origin is obvious. Typically, breast cancer is not painful, and it is more likely to be felt as a rock in the breast tissue.
However, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an exception. IBC is a rare and aggressive type of invasive breast cancer, accounting for only 1-5% of all breast cancers. It occurs when cancerous cells block the lymphatic vessels in the breast, causing inflammation and noticeable symptoms that develop rapidly. While IBC does not usually cause breast lumps, it can lead to swelling, redness, and changes in the skin colour and appearance, such as dimpling. These symptoms can cause breast pain and discomfort.
The possibility of IBC should be considered if an individual, particularly someone who is not pregnant or breastfeeding and has gone through menopause, presents with the aforementioned symptoms. IBC tends to occur in younger women (under 40 years of age). Given its aggressive nature and rapid growth, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Treatment options may include a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, and adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence.
It is important to note that breast pain can have various causes, including muscle strain, infection, or hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. If you are experiencing new or unusual breast pain, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough examination and appropriate advice.
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Breast pain can be caused by non-cancerous conditions
Breast pain is a common condition that can affect anyone, and only about 1% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer after experiencing breast pain. There are two main types of breast pain: cyclic and non-cyclic. Cyclic breast pain is linked to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle and is most common between the ages of 20 and 50. It usually occurs about a week before the start of the menstrual cycle and goes away naturally once the period begins. However, it will return before the next cycle. Cyclic breast pain can vary from mild soreness to a stabbing sensation and can affect one or both breasts.
Non-cyclic breast pain has slightly different symptoms, including pain in a specific area of only one breast, a sharper and more acute pain, and a burning or stabbing sensation. Non-cyclic breast pain can be caused by various factors, including caffeine consumption, breastfeeding, eating foods high in fat, and chest wall pain. Chest wall pain is caused by inflammation of the layers of muscle and tissue around the heart and lungs, which can be mistaken for breast pain.
In addition to cyclic and non-cyclic breast pain, there are other non-cancerous conditions that can cause breast pain. For example, fibrocystic breast changes, characterised by fluid-filled cysts, can cause breast pain, especially during certain times of the month. Breast pain can also be caused by infection, stress, or skin lesions. While rare, inflammatory breast cancer can also cause breast pain, but it is usually accompanied by other distinct symptoms.
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Frequently asked questions
While it is understandable to be concerned that one has breast cancer after feeling pain in that area, pain in the breasts is rarely a sign of breast cancer. However, it is common for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to report feeling pain in their breast tissue as they go through treatment.
There are several harmless causes of breast pain, including:
- Infection
- Drinking too much coffee
- Stress
- Skin lesions
- Hormonal changes
- Angina
- Gallstones
If you experience breast pain, it is recommended that you contact your physician or GP. They will examine your breasts and ask you about the type of pain you are experiencing and how often it occurs.
