Mastalgia (breast pain) is a common cause of discomfort and anxiety for women. Breast pain alone is rarely a presenting symptom of cancer.
Mastalgia is more common in pre-menopausal women than in post-menopausal women. The etiology of breast pain is unknown. Its relationship to the menstrual cycle and its more frequent occurrence in pre-menopausal women suggests a hormonal etiology, but no reproducible alterations in estrogen and progesterone levels have been identified in women with mastalgia.
A thorough breast examination should be performed to exclude the presence of a breast mass. In the absence of a mass, a mammogram is usually suggested. In most of the women with breast pain, the physical examination and mammography reveal no evidence of breast pathology. If one has breast pain, please consult a health professional about it, especially if it is severe or interfering with your daily life, as it can be managed and treated accordingly.
