Pain is good. It is our body's way of indicating potential tissue damage and letting us know that it needs attention. Adult human psyche helps individuals cope with most forms of pain, but there are a few that raise an alarm and alert us of a possibility of a serious medical condition. Just like our mind is conditioned to think that chest pain is related to heart disease, most women consider breast pain to be an indication of breast cancer.
This isn't necessarily true! Breast pain or Mastalgia, is a common condition affecting over 70% of women at some point in their lifetime. Only less than 3% of these women, also complaining of severe breast pain, are actually diagnosed with cancer. Breast changes are common and noticed from puberty through pregnancy to menopause and are attributed to hormonal fluctuations in a woman's body during these phases.
Types of Breast Pain
There are primarily two categories of breast pain depending on whether it is influenced by hormones or some other factors.
Cyclical Breast Pain
This type directly correlates with changing levels of hormones in a woman's body during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Breasts are made up of fibres, glands and ducts which work together to produce milk and prepare to do so every month with each menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes stimulate breasts to reabsorb extra fluid during uterine wall shedding, thus making them tender, swollen and sometimes, painful. These symptoms peak a few days before menstruation and subside thereafter. During menopause, hormones are off balance causing more tenderness in breasts.
Non-cyclical Breast Pain
This is usually caused by certain changes in breast anatomy rather than hormones and is triggered by breast cysts, breast abscess, a prior injury or surgery. Infections are the cause of breast pain in 10% of women. A common cause of inflammation of breasts is Mastitis, characterised by redness, pain, soreness and swelling and may progress to an infection. This happens due to the 'backing up' of milk in the ducts when it is made faster than it is removed.
There is a third type of pain which originates from the middle of the chest, but feels as though the breast is hurting. This is actually a type of a chest pain called Costochondritis which occurs when the rib cage and breastbone connect. Poor posture and age contribute to Costochondritis.
Breast Pain: What to Expect
Cyclical
- Usually bilateral (both breasts) and felt around the upper outer layers of breasts and is associated with lumpiness.
- Dull and nagging, often radiating to the arm pit.
Non- Cyclical
- Typically unilateral.
- Maybe constant or irregular, acute burning pain felt in the area below the nipple.
Alleviating Breast Pain
Most often, breast pain isn't too severe and fades away in a few days without medication. For more severe cases, topical NSIAD's and pain killers are prescribed. For Mastitis without abscess, antibiotics are recommended. Self remedial ways to palliate breast pain are:
Diet Changes
- Avoid Fatty Food Intake: Hydrogenated fats obstruct the formation of Gamma Linolenic Acid, a chemical that stops breast pain. Reduction of fatty foods thus helps relieve the pain.
- Limit Caffeine: Caffeine contains methlyxanthine that stimulates breast tissue and causes pain. Keeping a check on caffeine intake, especially before periods is helpful.
- Reduce Salt Intake: Excess salt retains fluid in the body and this could increase pain.
Support Breasts
Wearing a properly fitted bra and avoiding high impact exercises is essential. It is advisable to avoid wearing under-wired bras before periods.
Medication
Seek medical advice and then go off or change preparation of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, as changes in hormones may increase pain.
Learn To Relax
Being calm and relaxed reduces the impact of stress related hormones on breast pain.
Others
Use cold or hot compress to soothe the pain.
Next Steps
Breast pain is rarely an indication of breast cancer. However, depending on the cause and severity of one's pain, it is advisable to chart out a follow up routine with your health care provider, which may include routine mammograms. Breast infections generally require a follow up in 24-48 hours. A startling truth is that Mastitis does not cause cancer, but cancer can mimic Mastitis. Therefore it is important to track your pain, get all tests done to rule out cancer and relieve yourself of the anxiety caused by breast pain.
