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Ruling out the other possible causes of the pain is one way to differentiate the source of the pain. Medical imaging by ultrasound is recommended for all ages, well in those over 30 it is recommended together with mammography. Diagnosis ĭiagnosis involves breast examination, with medical imaging if only a specific part of the breast hurts. The great majority of breast cancer cases do not present with symptoms of pain, though breast pain in older women is more likely to be associated with cancer. However, breast pain is not a common symptom of cancer. Some women who have pain in one or both breasts may fear breast cancer.
Acute pain nursing interventions fibrocystic breast changes skin#
Also, shingles can cause a painful blistering rash on the skin of the breasts. Other causes of non-cyclical breast pain include alcoholism with liver damage (likely due to abnormal steroid metabolism), mastitis and medications such as digitalis, methyldopa (an antihypertensive), spironolactone, certain diuretics, oxymetholone (an anabolic steroid), and chlorpromazine (a typical antipsychotic). After pregnancy, breast pain can be caused by breastfeeding. Some degree of non-cyclical breast tenderness can normally be present due to hormonal changes in puberty (both in girls and boys), in menopause and during pregnancy. Noncyclical breast pain has various causes and is harder to diagnose and frequently the root cause is outside the breast. īreast pain that is not linked to a menstrual cycle is called noncyclic breast pain. Cyclic breast pain is often associated with fibrocystic breast changes or duct ectasia and thought to be caused by changes of prolactin response to thyrotropin. Some degree of cyclical breast tenderness is normal in the menstrual cycle, and is usually associated with menstruation and/or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Causes īreast pain linked to the menstrual cycle is called cyclic breast pain or cyclic mastalgia. Breast pain is one of the most common breast symptoms, along with breast masses and nipple discharge. About 70% of women have breast pain at some point in time. In those with severe pain tamoxifen or danazol may be used. Otherwise treatments may include paracetamol or NSAIDs. In more than 75% of people the pain resolves without any specific treatment. Diagnosis involves examination, with medical imaging if only a specific part of the breast hurts. In about 2% of cases breast pain is related to breast cancer. Pain may also occur in those with large breasts, during menopause, and in early pregnancy. Ĭauses may be related to the menstrual cycle, birth control pills, hormone therapy, or psychiatric medication. Pain that involves only one part of a breast is more concerning, particularly if a hard mass or nipple discharge is also present. Pain in both breasts is often described as breast tenderness, is usually associated with the menstrual period and is not serious. Reassurance after ruling out cancer, medications īreast pain is the symptom of discomfort in either one or both breasts. Gallstones, thoracic outlet syndrome, costochondritis Menstrual cycle related, birth control pills, hormone therapy, psychiatric medication, breast cancer
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