All women, no matter their age have felt breast pain at some time. It can be very upsetting and many women worry that they might have breast cancer. Breast discomfort doesn’t generally indicate breast cancer on its own because it might have a variety of other related reasons.
Breast pain does not elevate one’s chance of developing breast cancer. This article will provide you with suitable answers to questions like, is breast cancer painful? Does breast cancer hurt when you have it, and other related questions? Also, we will provide you with a better understanding of breast discomfort and the various ways it may be managed.
Understanding Breast Pain
The medical terminology for breast hurting is mastalgia. The pain you experience can be extremely uncomfortable.
Every time breast pain is not a sign of cancer. Instead, it might be a breast issue that’s not cancer.
Remember that breast pain is not limited to a specific gender. The pain can either be continuous or simply sporadically present.
In most cases, breast pain is not a sign of cancer. Instead, it indicates a non-cancerous breast disease.
You shouldn’t ignore breast pain and seek immediate medical support if it doesn’t go away after one or two menstrual cycles. Breast pain can also be alarming when it stays after menopause.
At times, your breast pain might not be linked to hormonal fluctuations at all. So, you should seek medical advice whenever you face breast pain.
Breast Cancer and Its Symptoms
This type of cancer originates in the cells lining your breasts. It mostly affects women. But men are not completely immune to the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer signs and symptoms might include:
- A bulged out portion on the breast looking different from the surrounding tissues
- Changes to a breast’s dimensions, form, or appearance
- Alterations to the skin above the breasts, such as dimpling
- A recently flipped nipple
- The pigmented skin around the nipple (areola) or breast skin might peel, scale, crust, or flake.
- Redness on your breasts
- Pits on your breasts
Is Breast Pain a Symptom of Breast Cancer?
A breast tumour may produce pain if it presses against adjacent healthy tissue. Often, one of the earliest signs of inflammatory breast cancer is pain and tenderness. This kind of cancer tends to spread swiftly and results in skin dimpling and reddening across the breast.
In addition to nipple discomfort, pain and burning sensation are early indications of the Paget disease of the breast, a rare kind of breast cancer. Therefore, see your doctor as soon as possible if your breast pain is increasing and it has no apparent cause.
Common Non-Cancerous Causes of Breast Pain
Is breast cancer painful? Well, it is. But, there are other reasons for breast pain; for instance, it is frequently brought on by changes in hormone levels during menstruation or pregnancy. Also, it is common to experience some oedema and discomfort right before your period. Breast discomfort is not frequently a sign of cancer. Tenderness in the breasts is natural and may be caused by hormone fluctuations. Some other causes of breast pain may be –
- Menopause in women
- Premenstrual syndrome and menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Puberty
Breast swelling can occur in women soon after giving birth due to the accumulation of milk. This may cause excruciating pain for several weeks. Breast pain may also result from breastfeeding. Lumps or cysts can be found in the fibrocystic breast tissue. Since they become more sensitive before your menstrual period, you might experience breast pain.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional?
Get in touch with your medical provider if you have:
- Clear or bloody secretions coming from your nipple
- If you gave birth just last week, your breasts may be firm or swollen.
- Observed a fresh lump that persists during your menstrual cycle
- Chronic, inexplicable breast discomfort
- Symptoms of a breast infection, such as fever, pus discharge, or redness
The Diagnostic Process
Below mentioned tests and procedures are used to diagnose breast cancer:
- The diagnostic process begins with a bilateral examination of your breasts. A physician will also feel for other abnormalities under your armpits.
- A mammogram helps in identifying abnormalities in your breast region.
- An ultrasound is useful for understanding what’s inside a lump on your breast. The lump might be filled with fluid or a solid one.
- A breast tissue for biopsy to confirm or reject breast cancer diagnosis
- An MRI is another imaging test for the diagnosis of breast cancer lumps.
Treatment Options and Outcomes
The best course of treatment for breast cancer will depend on:
- Type of tumour
- Cancer stage
- The patient’s hormone sensitivity
In addition, your doctor takes your personal preferences and general health into account. Many women with breast cancer additionally have postoperative chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation treatment. Surgery is usually the last resort for breast cancer patients. At times, breast cancer patients need chemotherapy before surgery.
Prevention and Risk Reduction
Several factors can influence your risk of breast cancer, and this list includes ageing and family history, which are unavoidable. Nevertheless, you can reduce the chance of breast cancer by practising the following preventative measures:
- Engage in physical activity.
- Watch out for your weight.
- Stop alcohol consumption completely or do it on rare occasions.
- Speak with your doctor about additional strategies to reduce your risk if you have inherited abnormalities in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes or have a family history of mammary cancer.
- If at all possible, breastfeed your children.
Breast Cancer Treatment at Punarjan Ayurveda.
At Punarjan Ayurveda, we follow a holistic approach toward uprooting breast cancer from its core for long-term recovery. We utilise the power of Rasayan Ayurveda to make you cancer-free without any side effects. Our aim is to balance the Pitta, Vata, and Kapha doshas in the body for comprehensive well-being and faster recovery.
We focus on empowering the immune system in combating cancer by merging Ayurvedic practices with modern developments in medical science. Our experts also help patients make dietary and lifestyle modifications to fight cancer more easily. We also promote the spiritual well-being of our patient to improve their quality of life.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now know the answer to the question: is breast cancer painful? But remember that pain in your breast region is not the only sign of cancer. It may be useful to consult a doctor for examination and diagnosis to see whether any changes to the breasts are a cause of concern or not. Moreover, patients with breast cancer had better outcomes with early identification and treatment. Regular mammography and other screening treatments are essential to monitor for any potential return of breast cancer and nip it in the bud.
FAQs
1. How does breast cancer pain feel like?
Breast pain is characterised by discomfort or tightness in the breast tissue. Men, women, and transgenders may all experience the pain, which can either be ongoing or simply sporadically present.
2. Can breast cancer cause pain?
Sometimes breast cancer can hurt, but not everyone will feel pain. Remember, breast pain isn’t always a sign of cancer. Some non-cancerous conditions like mastitis can also make breasts hurt. If your breasts keep hurting a lot, it’s important to see a doctor and find out why.
3. Where does breast cancer usually hurt?
Breast cancer-related pain is typically felt in and around the breast region. But you may occasionally get pain beneath your armpits.
4. Are there any symptoms of stage 1 breast cancer?
Stage 1 breast cancer usually does not trigger any symptoms in patients. The tumour starts exhibiting symptoms when it grows bigger. However, you might discover it by accident or during a self-examination of the breast, depending on its position.
Also Read: Is A Lump In The Breast A Sign Of Breast Cancer? Understanding The Facts And Risks
Reference links:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
https://www.breastcancer.org/signs-symptoms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352475
