Breast Pain: What To Do About It
A woman who is experiencing breast pain often becomes worried that the pain might be a symptom of breast cancer. While it is possible that cancer is the cause, you shouldn't jump to any quick conclusions. Instead, you should contact your doctor so that he or she can schedule you for a mammogram to be performed as soon as possible. This test will help your doctor find any lumps or masses that might give reasons to be concerned.
Breast pain can be a serious problem for 7 out of 10 women. It can happen at any point in a woman's life and the amount of pain experienced can vary in intensity. If you have even a mild amount of breast pain, it is crucial to let your doctor know. The greater amount of information you can provide, the more it helps your physician make an accurate diagnosis. This information can include when and how often the pain occurs, how hurtful it is, and the location of the pain.
According to research, 1 in 10 women suffer pain in their breasts for at least five days each month; the pain ranges from moderate to severe. In some cases it persists throughout the menstrual cycle. This pain can occur in women of all ages, but is most common in women who are younger and who have not yet experienced menopause.
Of course many women who experience pain in their breasts are immediately concerned about breast cancer. As mentioned before, this is why it's important to have regular breast exams. You can also preform self assessment breast exams. There are various sites on the web that can show you specifically how to do these. They can go along way in early detection of breast cancer.
Often, just having pain in the breast doesn't mean cancer. It may mean any number of things. The usual culprit is reproductive hormones. Many women experience soreness or tenderness in the breasts during the monthly menstrual cycle. Generally, with this sort of pain, it affects both breasts.
There are many causes and symptoms of breast pain. Once you have had yourself checked out by your doctor there are numerous ways to treat it. A simple answer is to take an over the counter pain medication. This can reduce swelling, tenderness and even pain. You may also consider if you are wearing the right size bra and if it is supportive enough.
Breast cancer is the first thing a woman suspects when she experiences breast pain. However, there are a number of possibilities. The best thing to do is to consult a doctor and get a mammogram to discover any cancerous lumps. Make sure you accurately describe the pain to a doctor, including its location, intensity, and frequency. The best way to detect breast cancer early on is to give yourself self assessment breast exams regularly. Pain in the breast can be due to cancer, but it can also be related to the menstrual cycle, hormones, or even an ill-fitting bra.
Published August 30th, 2008
Filed in Health
