Health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but our boobs can change, develop symptoms or become painful for many reasons. Here’s the expert guide to understanding yours…
Breast pain is common — about seven out of every 10 women will have breast pain or discomfort (mastalgia) at some point,’ explains Dr Philippa Kaye, GP and author of the book Breasts: An Owner’s Guide. She says: ‘Every patient I see with a breast symptom is, understandably, afraid that they may have breast cancer. However, having a symptom or a change does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. There are other conditions which can and do occur.’ Here, Dr Philippa explains some common breast complaints…
Cyclical breast pain
‘Cyclical breast pain is related to the hormones of the menstrual cycle and how these affect the breasts. Generally, it is worse in the few days leading up to the period starting but for some women, it may start earlier and then improve after the period starts and has generally ended by the time the period has finished.
‘The pain and tenderness tend to affect both breasts, although you may notice that the severity is different in each breast. You may also notice changes in the breasts themselves during this time — they may feel more swollen and lumpy, but these changes also resolve after your period begins.
‘Wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra can be helpful, including wearing one at night. You can also try simple over-the-counter painkillers, including topical NSAIDs, such as an ibuprofen gel, which can be rubbed into the skin.’
Non-cyclical breast pain
‘Breast pain is not always related to the menstrual cycle but may be intermittent or even constant.
‘Unlike cyclical breast pain, which generally affects both breasts, non-cyclical breast pain tends to affect one side only. The cause isn’t always known, but it can be related to pain within the breast, such as due to a breast infection or abscess; pain from an infection, such as shingles which affects the skin; or other skin issues.
‘There can also be pain from the muscles of the chest wall, ribs or breastbone. For example, in costochondritis there is inflammation of one or more of the joints between the ribs and the breastbone, leading to pain which can be felt in the breast.
‘The treatment for non-cyclical breast pain will depend on the cause, but can include simple painkillers, exercises for the back, shoulders and neck, and wearing a well-fitting bra.’
Menopausal changes
‘After the menopause, the lower levels of oestrogen affects the breast tissue, causing the glandular tissue, which is involved in milk production, to shrink. This means that the breasts are softer as they are mainly made up of fatty tissue.
‘Hormone changes of the menopause also affect the s
