Breast Pain Fact Sheet

Breast pain is extremely common as more than 7 out of 10 women will experience it sometime during their life. Fortunately, breast cancer rarely presents only as pain and fewer than one out of 8 women with breast pain require specific treatment

Cyclical Breast Pain

• Associated with the menstrual cycle (usually the beginning) and goes away

• Not usually in women who have gone through menopause unless on hormone replacement therapy

• Can be associated with a lump/mass/swelling which usually resolves when the pain goes away, but frequently occurs over a region of the breast and may ‘move around'

• Treatment

  • Chart the pain to confirm that it occurs in a cyclical pattern during each menstrual cycle

  • Limit foods that may contribute to premenstrual symptoms such as certain cheeses, nuts, mushrooms, meats, wines and bananas related to arachidonic acid

  • If determined to be cyclical, no specific imaging or treatment required

• Less common than cyclical pain and is unrelated to the menstrual cycle
• More commonly in one specific area and can occur in pre- or post-menopausal women, although more common in women aged 40-50
• May have specific cause like trauma, recent biopsy, infection or abscess
• Can occur during pregnancy and breast feeding
• Can be caused by birth control pills, hormones, weight gain, water retention or ill-fitting bra
• Pain or soreness in the chest wall muscles and/or rib-cage can mimic breast pain
• May be caused by an enlarging or inflamed cyst
• Treatment
  • Wear a good-fitting bra
  • Cut back or avoid caffeine
  • Lose weight (this can help stabilize hormone levels)
  • Over-the-counter pain medications are usually sufficient; prescription pain medication only under the care of your clinician
  • Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU per day), B1 or B2 or evening primrose oil
  • Cut back on salt if felt to be related to water retention

To schedule your mammogram call 303-318.3400

The Breast Care Center is now located:

1825 Marion Street, Denver, CO 80218

It is open Monday through Friday from 7: 30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To download a map, click here.

Physicians with questions may contact Dr. Norton at 303.866.8300.

The Breast Care Center provides screening and diagnostic mammography, breast MRI and ultrasound, as well as breast biopsies including ultrasound, stereotactic and MRI-guided biopsies. The best approach to providing the highest-quality breast care is the integrated approach, where all services - from cancer screeening through treatment - are in one place. Quality service, continuity of care, communication among physicians and patient satisfaction all are better when a patient can receive all the care she needs in one place.