Breast pain is common and is usually not caused by breast cancer. Pain can develop from hormonal changes, benign breast conditions, inflammation or infection, injury, medications, or even structures in the chest wall rather than the breast itself. Persistent or localized pain, or pain accompanied by another breast change, should be evaluated to determine the cause and whether additional testing is needed.
What Is Breast Pain?
Breast pain, also called mastalgia, can range from mild tenderness or aching to more persistent discomfort. It may affect one or both breasts, involve a specific area or be more widespread, and sometimes extend toward the nipple or underarm.
The pattern of breast pain can provide useful information about its possible cause. Some pain changes with the menstrual cycle, while other breast pain occurs independently of hormonal cycles. How the pain behaves is helpful during evaluation, but symptoms alone cannot always determine where the pain is coming from or whether a breast condition is responsible.
What Causes Breast Pain?
Breast pain can have many causes, and sometimes no single cause is identified. Understanding when the pain occurs, where it is located and whether other breast changes are present can help guide evaluation.
Hormonal and Cyclical Breast Pain
Hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle can cause breast tenderness, fullness or swelling. This type of pain often affects both breasts, may become more noticeable before a menstrual period and typically improves as hormone levels change during the cycle.
Noncyclical Breast Pain
Breast pain that does not follow the menstrual cycle can have several causes. Cysts and other benign breast changes, inflammation or infection, injury, previous breast surgery or scarring, and certain medications or hormonal therapies may contribute to breast discomfort.
Pain That Comes From Outside the Breast
Sometimes pain that feels as though it is coming from the breast actually begins in the chest wall or surrounding structures. Muscle strain, inflammation involving the ribs or chest wall, or nerve irritation can produce discomfort that is perceived as breast pain. A clinical evaluation can help distinguish breast-related pain from pain originating elsewhere.
When Should Breast Pain Be Evaluated?
Breast pain is often benign, but persistent, localized or unexplained pain should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Evaluation is particularly important when pain occurs along with another new breast change.
Contact your healthcare provider or the Breast Center if breast pain:
- Persists or becomes progressively worse
- Is consistently located in one specific area
- Occurs with a new breast lump or area of thickening
- Is accompanied by redness, warmth, swelling or other signs of inflammation or infection
- Occurs with a new skin or nipple change
- Interferes with everyday activities or sleep
You do not need to determine whether breast pain is serious before seeking care. Evaluation can help identify the source of the discomfort and determine whether treatment, imaging or other follow-up is appropriate.
How Is Breast Pain Evaluated?
Evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, when it began, whether it changes over time and whether you have noticed a lump or another breast change. Your personal history, medications and other relevant health information may also help identify possible causes.
A clinical breast examination can help determine whether the pain appears to involve the breast itself or surrounding structures. Depending on your age, symptoms, examination and previous imaging, diagnostic mammography or ultrasound may be recommended to evaluate a particular area or associated finding.
If the clinical examination and appropriate imaging do not identify a concerning breast abnormality, your care team can help determine whether symptoms can be managed conservatively or whether another possible source of the pain should be considered.
Learn more about Breast Evaluation & Screening.
What Can Help Relieve Breast Pain?
Many cases of breast pain improve over time or can be managed with simple measures. When an underlying condition is identified, treating that condition may also relieve the discomfort.
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, your care team may recommend:
- Wearing a properly fitted, supportive bra, particularly during physical activity
- Applying a warm or cold compress to the painful area
- Using an over-the-counter pain reliever when appropriate for you
- Paying attention to activities or other factors that appear to aggravate the pain
- Reviewing medications or hormonal therapies with your healthcare provider if they may be contributing to symptoms
- Treating an underlying breast condition, inflammation or infection when one is identified
Do not stop or change a prescribed medication or hormonal therapy without discussing it with your healthcare provider. Persistent pain that does not improve can be reevaluated so other possible causes and treatment options can be considered.
Treating Breast Pain
Breast pain can be frustrating and sometimes alarming, particularly when the cause is not immediately apparent. Most breast pain is not associated with cancer, but evaluation can provide important context, identify conditions that need treatment and help determine appropriate ways to manage persistent symptoms.
The Margie Petersen Breast Center can evaluate breast pain along with any accompanying breast changes and coordinate clinical examination and imaging when appropriate. You do not need to know the cause of your pain or which type of evaluation you need before contacting the Breast Center.
Talk With Our Breast Clinic Team
The Breast Health Clinic can be reached at (310) 582-7209. If you have questions about a new breast symptom, need an evaluation or would like help determining your next step, call and a member of our team can assist you.
