Understanding Breast Pain

by Dr. Daniel Roubein

Let’s talk about breast pain, medically known as Mastodynia. What do you know about it? The first thing you should know is that it is not a common symptom of breast cancer. To put it another way, most women with breast cancer do not present themselves to their doctors with a main complaint of breast pain, but rather they tell their doctors that they feel a lump in their breast or have noticed a change in the skin of their breast.

Breast pain refers to any type of pain in the breast, including premenstrual tenderness, and there are many causes for breast pain. Hormonal changes are often responsible for breast pain. Some common causes of breast pain include:

•Menstruation
•Poorly fitting bra
•Weight gain
•Excessive caffeine ingestion
•Excessive alcohol intake
•Fibrocystic breast disease (lumpy or bumpy breast tissue which tends to be more tender before the menstrual cycle begins)
•Infection
•Traumatic injury
•Medications (such as certain heart medications)
Some simple steps you can take to help decrease breast pain include:

•Buy a professionally fitted bra to give the best possible breast support.
•Reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol
•Consult with your doctor if you think you may have a breast infection (for instance, if you have redness of the skin of the breast or swelling of the breast).
•Apply an ice pack to your breast if you have injured your breast.

Some reasons to call your doctor to ask about your breast pain:

•Fluid discharge from the nipple, whether this is bloody or not
•Concern about a breast infection
•A new lump or mass in the breast
•Persistent breast pain with no explanation.

These are some common causes for breast pain and a few simple steps you can take to alleviate the pain. However, if you’re not sure about the pain, then it’s better to err on the side of caution. Call your doctor and make an appointment. If you don’t have a doctor, call The Rose at (281) 484-4708. Your peace of mind is our priority.

About Dr. Roubein – Dr. Daniel Roubein is a Radiologist at The Rose. The founder and president of Radiology Reading Centers of America, Dr. Roubein has been practicing radiology for 18 years. He joined The Rose team in 2009.
He is a senior member of the American Society of Neuroradiology and a member of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, American Medical Association, Radiological Society of North America and the Houston Radiological Society.

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To schedule your appointment at The Rose, call 281.484.4708 or visit www.TheRose.org.