Random chest pain is always scary and shocking. The worst-case scenario will probably cross your mind and you will panic about the disease being diagnosed with breast cancer. hundreds of thousands of people Causes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year
Although breast cancer is a cause for concern, and medical interventions such as mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and genetic tests can help prevent the disease, it’s still difficult not to worry when you notice things like breast pain.
“The most important thing…what you need to know is that chest pain is very common,” he said Dr. Marlene Myersa medical oncologist and director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center Survivor Program at New York University Langone Health.
“In many cases, it’s not related to any serious pathology. But it’s also never true that breast pain can’t be secondary to cancer,” Myers added.
According to experts, there are different types of breast pain, and while it’s never a good idea to ignore any discomfort, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience certain things. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of breast pain and the care your doctor recommends.
Generally, discomfort that occurs at the same time every month is not much of a concern.
“I think the most common type of breast pain is related to menstruation,” Myers says. “In that case, you do find that you do have quite a bit of chest pain. This tends to be cyclical, like a week or two before your menstrual period.”
Menstrual-related pain is often dull or aching, and may be accompanied by breast swelling. Meyers said the pain is usually not sharp.
And when it comes to period-related pain, “it usually affects both breasts,” she added.
Breast pain can be a sign of pregnancy.
For many people, breast pain is one of the first signs of pregnancy.
in fact, 2013 survey It was found that 76% of pregnant women experienced breast pain or tenderness during the first trimester.
According to Verywell HealthThis type of pain can cause heaviness, tenderness, or tingling in the breasts, and the nipples may be the most tender area.
Caffeine can also contribute to breast pain.
“Caffeine can be a breast pain trigger for many women, meaning some women are very sensitive to caffeine,” she says. Dr. Regina Hamptona breast surgeon in the Washington, DC area.
This means coffee, caffeinated tea, soda, and energy drinks can all be culprits. Behind the kindness of people’s heartssays Hampton.
“Typically, to figure that out, we ask people to experiment with reducing or eliminating caffeine altogether,” she says. Limiting your caffeine intake (or avoiding it completely) can help relieve this type of pain.
Pain that is not related to those factors is a concern.
Experts say seemingly random pain is more worrying. Be careful if the timing of your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, caffeine, etc. does not match.
This type of pain may be more acute, Myers says. Therefore, it is more likely to be painful and more persistent than periodic tenderness. “It can be continuous or it can be intermittent,” she added.
In addition, if the discomfort in only one breast persists for several weeks, you should see a doctor.
Breast pain associated with factors such as menstruation usually occurs in both breasts.
“Often, breast pain is more concerning if it’s localized to one breast rather than both,” Myers explained.
Specifically, she said if you experience pain in the same location on one breast and notice a lump, thickness, or fullness, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Another concerning feature of breast pain is if it lasts for more than a few weeks, especially if it worsens over time, Myers points out. This is another reason why you should seek immediate medical attention.
Catherine McQueen (via Getty Images)
Unaccustomed pain should also be evaluated.
You know your body best, so you’ll probably know when something isn’t right. Hampton said it’s important for people to listen to their intuition.
“As far as pain goes, it’s going to be a completely different pain than what they’re used to experiencing,” she said.
“Anything that looks or feels unusual is something to check out,” Hampton added. Your doctor may arrange for a mammogram or ultrasound to learn more about what’s happening.
Regular breast exams can help you learn more about your body.
“I’m still a strong advocate of women doing their own breast self-exams. I know it from the literature. [and] In the media, it’s gone a little too far. One moment I’m telling women to do this; [and another] It’s a moment where they’re telling women not to do that,” Hampton explained. “But I think we live with ourselves every day, and we know about our breasts every day… We don’t go to the doctor every day. So, It’s important to be able to see changes.”
When you’re looking for a change, you can learn what your breasts feel like and when tenderness is normal for you, Hampton added.
All in all, take breast pain seriously. But there’s no need to panic.
“Most breast cancers are not painful,” Hampton says. “I hope they don’t find anything, but we just find something at the annual mammogram.”
But while breast pain isn’t usually a sign of cancer, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
“While this is not one of the most common signs of breast cancer, it also cannot be ignored,” Myers says.
In other words, if you have breast pain, it’s important to let your doctor know so they can determine the best treatment plan. Even if your pain seems related to your period, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor so they understand. By doing so, we can help you with potential solutions (such as reducing your caffeine intake) or schedule any necessary tests.
