Breast Health

Yes. Breast pain and tenderness is common for many women. Statistics show that most women will experience breast pain at some point in their lifetime. There are many causes for breast pain, often linked to menstrual cycle and hormonal changes. There are many causes for breast pain, often linked to menstrual cycle and hormonal changes. Breast pain is rarely associated with a breast cancer diagnosis.

In most cases, breast tenderness and pain are not indicators of a serious problem. However, if the discomfort is ongoing, persisting more than a few weeks, it should be evaluated by a medical professional. If you are going through or have been through menopause, you may still experience breast pain, especially if you still have your ovaries. Some women may see spikes in breast pain during perimenopause as well.

The cause of the pain is most likely from fluid buildup (or edema) in the breasts. Sometimes wearing a supportive bra, also known as a compression bra, can help to reduce the pain, since compression can relieve fluid buildup.

If you’re experiencing breast pain or have any concerns, tell your doctor to see if pain relief options, such as over-the-counter medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) or supplements (vitamin E and evening primrose oil), would help you. Be sure to ask your provider before trying anything new. They can also recommend if breast imaging, mammography or other services are right for you.

Abnormalities, like non-cancerous and cancerous tumors, in breast tissue can feel differently from person to person. It could present as:

• Rigid with firm angular edges
• Feeling more like rocks than grapes
• Smooth, softer nodules

Be sure to check with your doctor to know for sure.

Your primary care provider or a breast health specialist can help you get a better understanding of your breast density and how it may impact your screening routines. Dense breast tissue makes it harder to see signs of cancer and puts patients at a higher-than-average risk of developing it someday.

Avera conducts a breast cancer risk assessment to determine if other screening options beyond mammogram are needed, like more frequent or specialized breast imaging. Risk assessment questions to determine a score focus on:

• Height and weight
• Personal breast history
• Family history of cancer
• Gynecologic history
• Pregnancy history
• Hormone history
• Known genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Breast density

Most women will be of an average risk score for developing breast cancer. A risk score of 20% or greater means you have a higher-than-average chance of developing breast cancer in your lifetime. This does not mean you are going to get breast cancer but does mean you should consider being screened more often.